Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Fortis Institute-Scranton

Fortis Institute-Scranton's Medical Assisting certificate faces a troubling problem: graduates earn slightly less four years out than they did in their first year. Starting at $26,082 and dropping to $24,873 represents backward movement in a field where wages should typically rise with experience. Among Pennsylvania's 45 programs, this ranks right at the median, but that comparison misses the bigger picture—several community colleges in the state produce graduates earning 30-50% more in the same field, including Montgomery County Community College at $38,645 and Harrisburg Area Community College at $32,660.

The $9,500 debt load is manageable at face value, representing just over four months of first-year earnings. However, this becomes harder to justify when graduates at nearby community colleges enter the workforce earning $6,000-12,000 more annually with comparable or lower debt. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (80%), making these earnings differences particularly consequential for students without financial safety nets.

For families weighing this option, the numbers suggest looking first at Pennsylvania's community college alternatives. The credential itself clearly has value—medical assistants are needed—but this particular program delivers below what other accessible institutions in the state achieve for similar students.