Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at College of DuPage

College of DuPage graduates earn about $42,000 in their first year—roughly $2,000 above the Illinois median for this field and $5,400 above the national average. That 60th percentile ranking among Illinois programs tells a clear story: this is a solid middle-tier option that outperforms most schools but falls short of what top community colleges deliver. Several Illinois community colleges, including Oakton and South Suburban, place graduates who earn $10,000 more annually with similar training time and credentials.

The debt picture is reasonable at $17,125, creating a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio that students can realistically pay down on a medical assistant's salary. This sits right at the Illinois median debt level, meaning you're not overpaying for the education compared to other in-state options.

For families seeking an affordable healthcare career pathway, this program works—graduates earn enough to handle the debt and enter a stable field. But if your student can access Oakton or one of the higher-earning alternatives, the $10,000 annual difference compounds significantly over a career. The program delivers what it promises without standing out from the community college pack.