Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Columbia Gorge Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,349

Est. from OR median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,930

Est. from OR median (3 programs)

Analysis

Borrowing roughly $13,000 to enter Oregon's medical assisting field carries a manageable risk profile, with peer programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $37,000—putting debt at about four months of gross income. This sits comfortably within the general guideline that student debt should stay below a year's expected salary, and it's notably better than the national picture, where medical assisting certificates typically lead to just $27,000 in first-year earnings.

The challenge is uncertainty. These figures come from other Oregon programs since Columbia Gorge's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report publicly. Larger community colleges in the state—Portland and Central Oregon—show graduates earning in the $40,000-$46,000 range, suggesting stronger outcomes are possible. But without knowing how Columbia Gorge's specific training, clinical partnerships, or job placement support compare, you're making a decision with limited visibility into this program's actual track record.

The practical question: Can your family afford $13,000 in debt if earnings land closer to the state average rather than the top performers? Medical assisting certificates generally open doors to steady healthcare work, and Oregon's wage floor for these roles appears solid. Just recognize you're betting on outcomes from similar programs elsewhere, not data from graduates who actually completed this certificate at this school.

Where Columbia Gorge Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (19 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Columbia Gorge Community CollegeThe Dalles	$5,544	$37,349*	—	$12,930*	—
Portland Community CollegePortland	$5,040	$45,994*	$42,271	$12,834*	0.28
Central Oregon Community CollegeBend	$4,941	$39,674*	$41,971	$14,833*	0.37
Carrington College-PortlandPortland	—	$38,395*	$33,794	$9,500*	0.25
Sumner CollegePortland	—	$37,349*	—	—*	—
Rogue Community CollegeGrants Pass	$5,184	$36,717*	$33,614	$12,930*	0.35
National Median	—	$27,186*	—	$9,500*	0.35

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 Columbia Gorge Community College, approximately 21% 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 7 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.