Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Gwinnett College-Lilburn

Gwinnett College-Lilburn's Allied Health program graduates earn slightly above both state and national medians—around $29,000 one year out—but the program's debt load of $17,430 is nearly double what students typically borrow for this credential elsewhere in Georgia. That 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 60% of their first year's salary, which is manageable compared to four-year degrees but still creates real financial pressure for entry-level medical assistants. With 82% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are already stretching their budgets.

The bigger concern is competitive positioning. Several Georgia technical colleges produce graduates earning $31,000-$34,000 with similar credentials, often at lower cost through the state's technical college system. While Gwinnett College ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—meaning it's roughly in the middle of the pack—students at Southern Crescent Technical or Lanier Technical earn $3,000-$5,000 more annually right out of the gate, a meaningful difference on a medical assistant's salary.

The small sample size here is worth noting—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates—so individual circumstances can skew these numbers. Still, if your child is considering this path, compare total costs carefully against nearby technical colleges that show stronger earnings outcomes for the same career preparation.