Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at College of the Redwoods
Associate's Degree
redwoods.eduAnalysis
Similar allied health programs in California typically produce first-year earnings around $49,000, which would put College of the Redwoods graduates well above the national median of $37,000 for this field. With estimated debt of $14,000—substantially lower than both the state median ($19,000) and national median ($20,000)—this program appears to offer strong financial fundamentals. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 suggests manageable repayment, assuming these state-level patterns hold for Redwoods graduates.
The caveat is that these figures come from peer programs across California rather than tracked outcomes for this specific school. Some California programs in this field report first-year earnings exceeding $60,000, while others fall below the median. College of the Redwoods' relatively high Pell grant percentage (33%) and rural location could affect actual outcomes compared to programs in metropolitan areas where healthcare wages tend to run higher.
For families, the key question is whether Redwoods' specific program connects graduates to local healthcare employers in a way that matches or exceeds state patterns. The lower estimated debt provides cushion against earnings uncertainty, but the lack of school-specific data means you're making this investment based on regional trends rather than proven outcomes. Contact the program directly to ask about employment rates and typical employer partnerships in Humboldt County.
Where College of the Redwoods Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (100 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,147 | $48,908* | — | $14,000* | — | |
| — | $61,881* | $44,082 | $29,755* | 0.48 | |
| — | $61,881* | $44,082 | $29,755* | 0.48 | |
| — | $60,043* | $61,960 | $16,500* | 0.27 | |
| — | $59,559* | $61,059 | $29,750* | 0.50 | |
| — | $59,548* | — | $26,064* | 0.44 | |
| National Median | — | $36,862* | — | $19,825* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At College of the Redwoods, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 29 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.