Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at College of the Albemarle

Medical assisting programs across North Carolina show first-year earnings clustering around $35,000, and comparable programs suggest College of the Albemarle's graduates likely land in this range. With estimated debt of $18,702—below both the state and national medians for this credential—the program appears positioned better than many alternatives. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means roughly half of first-year earnings would cover the total borrowed, a manageable figure that suggests graduates could reasonably handle repayment while establishing their careers.

However, the wider landscape tells a more sobering story. Several community colleges in North Carolina report actual outcomes exceeding $42,000 for their medical assisting graduates—nearly $8,000 more than what peer programs suggest for this school. That gap matters significantly for an entry-level healthcare worker, potentially representing the difference between financial stability and paycheck-to-paycheck living. These top-performing programs demonstrate that not all associate degrees in allied health deliver the same economic outcomes, even within the same state system.

For parents weighing this investment, the relatively modest debt load is genuinely encouraging, but the estimated earnings put graduates at the lower end of what's possible in this field. If your student has strong ties to the Elizabeth City area or specific reasons to attend College of the Albemarle, the financial picture isn't alarming. Otherwise, examining programs at schools like Martin or Southwestern Community College—where reported earnings are substantially higher—could make a meaningful difference in your child's financial trajectory.