Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie

At just under $10,000 in debt, Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie offers one of the more affordable routes into medical assisting in Texas. The school serves a predominantly lower-income student population (75% receive Pell grants), and that modest debt load—roughly four months of starting salary—means graduates aren't buried under payments while establishing themselves in the field.

The earnings tell a more complicated story. First-year pay of $25,032 sits below the national median but actually exceeds the Texas median for this program, placing graduates in the 60th percentile statewide. That state comparison matters because many local community colleges produce similar outcomes at this price point. The 11% earnings growth over four years is steady if unspectacular, bringing graduates closer to $28,000. However, the top programs in Texas—Houston Community College and the Lone Star system—produce graduates earning $33,000 to $35,000, a difference of roughly $6,000 to $8,000 annually that compounds over a career.

For families prioritizing quick entry into healthcare with minimal debt, this program delivers on that promise. But students with access to Texas's community college system should compare carefully—the same credential through a local CC might cost less and open doors to slightly better-paying opportunities. The question isn't whether this program works, but whether it's the best available option in your area.