Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Concorde Career College-Dallas

Concorde Career College-Dallas charges nearly 50% more in student debt than the Texas median for medical assisting programs, yet graduates earn roughly the same as students from community colleges charging far less. While the $49,680 first-year salary lands in the 95th percentile nationally, that's largely because medical assisting programs elsewhere pay poorly—within Texas, this sits at just the 60th percentile. San Jacinto Community College graduates, for instance, earn $52,000 with typical debt closer to $21,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 isn't catastrophic, and the field shows steady 6% growth through year four. With 61% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on substantial debt relative to their resources. The question isn't whether graduates can find work—medical assistants are in demand—but whether this particular program justifies its premium pricing when comparable community college options exist across Texas.

For parents considering this program, run the numbers against local community colleges offering medical assisting. The career outcomes appear similar, but the debt burden could be $10,000 lower elsewhere. That difference matters significantly for families already stretching to afford college.