Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Essex County College
Associate's Degree
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Essex County College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Essex County College graduates earn $55k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County College | $54,592 | $59,580 | $25,125 | 0.46 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $50,530 | $57,123 | $18,250 | 0.36 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey | $48,332 | — | $26,000 | 0.54 |
| Eastwick College-Ramsey | $37,762 | $45,199 | $23,238 | 0.62 |
| Eastwick College-Nutley | $35,883 | — | $17,084 | 0.48 |
| Eastwick College-Hackensack | $33,342 | $27,834 | $18,295 | 0.55 |
| National Median | $36,862 | — | $19,825 | 0.54 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in New Jersey
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New Jersey schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick | $17,239 | $50,530 | $18,250 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey Cranford | $5,280 | $48,332 | $26,000 |
| Eastwick College-Ramsey Ramsey | $17,028 | $37,762 | $23,238 |
| Eastwick College-Nutley Nutley | $14,846 | $35,883 | $17,084 |
| Eastwick College-Hackensack Hackensack | $16,913 | $33,342 | $18,295 |
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.