Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Eastwick College-Ramsey

Eastwick College-Ramsey graduates earn substantially more than typical medical assisting certificate holders—about $6,000 above the national median—which explains its 91st percentile national ranking. However, that rosy picture changes when you look closer to home: within New Jersey, where graduates will likely work, this program lands at just the 60th percentile, trailing several other state options including Eastwick's own Nutley campus by nearly $1,000 annually. The debt load of $10,166 is reasonable but slightly above average, resulting in a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The concerning detail here is the complete absence of earnings growth between years one and four. Medical assistants who stay in the field typically see at least modest wage increases, so the flat trajectory here suggests either high turnover or limited advancement opportunities for graduates. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, indicating this program serves working-class families who need credentials that translate to upward mobility—flat earnings don't deliver that promise.

Given the small sample size, these numbers could shift dramatically with more data, but what's clear now is this: if you're considering a medical assisting certificate in New Jersey, compare this carefully against higher-performing in-state alternatives. The premium you'd pay over community college options doesn't appear justified by the earnings outcomes, especially when peer programs show better returns.