Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Essex County College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$54,592

95th percentile

80th percentile in New Jersey

Median Debt

$25,125

27% above national median

Analysis

Essex County College graduates are earning nearly 50% more than the typical medical assistant in New Jersey—$54,592 in first-year earnings versus the state median of $37,762. This places the program in the 80th percentile statewide and an impressive 95th percentile nationally, outperforming 936 other Allied Health programs across the country. Only Rutgers-New Brunswick and Union County College place graduates at higher salaries among New Jersey's 24 programs in this field.

The debt picture strengthens the value proposition. At $25,125, graduates borrow about $6,800 more than the state average, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable—meaning debt equals less than half of first-year salary. More importantly, earnings continue climbing to nearly $60,000 by year four, a 9% increase that suggests solid career progression rather than a quick earnings ceiling.

For families concerned about return on investment, this program delivers. The combination of above-average starting salaries, reasonable debt loads, and continued earnings growth makes it one of the strongest Allied Health programs available in New Jersey. Half the students receive Pell grants, indicating the college successfully serves working-class families while producing genuinely competitive outcomes.

Where Essex County College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Essex County College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Essex County College	$54,592	$59,580	+9%
Rutgers University-New Brunswick	$50,530	$57,123	+13%
Eastwick College-Ramsey	$37,762	$45,199	+20%
Berkeley College-Woodland Park	$29,903	$37,933	+27%
Eastwick College-Hackensack	$33,342	$27,834	-17%

Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Essex County CollegeNewark	$5,346	$54,592	$59,580	$25,125	0.46
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick	$17,239	$50,530	$57,123	$18,250	0.36
UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyCranford	$5,280	$48,332	—	$26,000	0.54
Eastwick College-RamseyRamsey	$17,028	$37,762	$45,199	$23,238	0.62
Eastwick College-NutleyNutley	$14,846	$35,883	—	$17,084	0.48
Eastwick College-HackensackHackensack	$16,913	$33,342	$27,834	$18,295	0.55
National Median	—	$36,862	—	$19,825	0.54

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 Essex County College, approximately 51% 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 30 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.