Location: Cleveland, OH•In-State Tuition: $3,736•Out-of-State Tuition: $8,736
Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,335
56th percentile
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$17,500
12% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.46 ManageableSample: 53 graduates

Analysis

Cuyahoga Community College's medical assisting program offers something rare in Ohio: reasonable debt and earnings that actually beat most in-state competitors. With graduates earning $38,335 in their first year while carrying just $17,500 in debt—well below Ohio's typical $21,542—this ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio's 53 programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means you'd pay back roughly five months' salary, a manageable burden that gives graduates breathing room.

The earnings plateau is worth noting: income barely budges from year one to year four, staying around $39,000. This isn't a field where you rapidly climb the salary ladder. The top Ohio programs at Cincinnati State and various Kent State campuses push closer to $41,000, showing there's some variation in outcomes even within the same state. Still, Cuyahoga delivers better value than half the state's programs while keeping debt lower than average.

For a two-year degree, this represents a practical entry point into healthcare that won't bury your child in debt. Just understand you're paying for stability and quick workforce entry rather than dramatic income growth—graduates at year four aren't earning substantially more than they did fresh out of school.

Where Cuyahoga Community College District Stands

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

Cuyahoga Community College DistrictOther allied health and medical assisting services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Cuyahoga Community College District graduates compare to all programs nationally

Cuyahoga Community College District earns $38k — 56th percentile among allied health and medical assisting services associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Cuyahoga Community College District$38,335$39,336+3%
Marion Technical College$37,040$44,827+21%
Clark State College$35,365$43,563+23%
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College$36,862$43,289+17%
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus$36,862$43,289+17%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (53 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland$3,736$38,335$39,336$17,5000.46
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati$5,400$41,891$39,214$22,5250.54
Kent State University at KentKent$12,846$40,671$41,248$28,8780.71
Kent State University at AshtabulaAshtabula$7,272$40,671$41,248$28,8780.71
Kent State University at East LiverpoolEast Liverpool$7,272$40,671$41,248$28,8780.71
Kent State University at GeaugaBurton$7,272$40,671———
National Median—$36,862—$19,8250.54

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 Cuyahoga Community College District, approximately 32% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 53 graduates with reported earnings and 46 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.