Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Gwinnett College-Sandy Springs

Gwinnett College-Sandy Springs graduates from this medical assisting program with modest debt—under $10,000—and earnings that surpass both state and national medians. At $29,476, first-year earnings beat Georgia's typical outcome by about $2,000 and rank in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means graduates owe roughly four months of salary, a manageable burden that most can clear relatively quickly. However, that 83% Pell Grant rate signals you're looking at a school serving predominantly low-income students, which matters if you're weighing institutional resources and support systems.

The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. It's also worth noting that Georgia has stronger-performing programs: five technical colleges produce graduates earning $31,000 to $34,000 annually, suggesting location and institutional reputation matter in this field. Southern Crescent and Lanier Technical, in particular, deliver 14-18% higher starting salaries while keeping debt similar or lower.

For a parent focused on minimizing financial risk, the low debt load here is reassuring. But if your child can access one of Georgia's top technical colleges, they'd likely start with a meaningful earnings advantage—which compounds over time. This program works as an affordable entry point to healthcare, just not necessarily the strongest one available in the state.