Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Gwinnett College

Gwinnett College's certificate costs nearly double the national median debt for this field, yet graduates earn almost exactly the state average—a concerning mismatch that places this program at just the 40th percentile among North Carolina's 47 medical assisting programs. While first-year earnings of $30,360 look respectable and outpace the national median by $3,000, they're already trailing several community college alternatives in the state that deliver stronger results with similar or lower debt loads.

The bigger issue is what happens after graduation: earnings actually decline to $27,914 by year four, leaving graduates making less than they did starting out. With two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, that downward trajectory combined with $16,258 in debt becomes especially problematic for families without financial cushion. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 isn't catastrophic, but it's elevated for a credential that should be relatively affordable and lead to stable, if modest, healthcare employment.

For families weighing this program, the community college options offer a clearer path: South Piedmont and Johnston Community College graduates earn $4,000-$5,000 more annually with comparable training costs. Unless Gwinnett provides specific advantages like schedule flexibility or job placement support that justify the premium, the state's community colleges deliver better returns in this field.