Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Contra Costa College

Similar allied health programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $49,000, which would put this associate's degree well above the national median of roughly $37,000 for the field. That's the good news. The challenge is that comparable California programs also carry higher-than-average debt loads, though the estimated $14,000 here would be notably lower than the state's typical $19,000—if that estimate holds true.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks manageable on paper at 0.29, meaning roughly three months of gross income to cover total educational debt. However, these figures come from peer programs rather than Contra Costa's actual graduates, and the handful of California schools that do report data show a wide range: some students earn over $60,000 in their first year, while others likely land closer to the state median. Medical assisting roles vary significantly in specialization and setting, which drives much of that variation.

For an anxious parent, here's what matters: if your child graduates with debt near that $14,000 estimate and lands work typical for California allied health graduates, the numbers should work. But given the uncertainty in both figures, push the school for specifics about clinical placement partnerships and job placement rates. Those concrete details matter more than statewide averages when you're trying to assess whether this particular program delivers on its promise.