Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at InterCoast Colleges-West Covina

Median Earnings (1yr)

$27,880

55th percentile

60th percentile in California

Median Debt

$9,500

At national median

Analysis

InterCoast Colleges-West Covina graduates earn about $5,000 more than the typical California medical assisting program, placing this in the 60th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful difference in a field where many programs cluster around $27,000. The debt level is manageable at $9,500, representing just 4 months of first-year earnings—low enough that most graduates should be able to pay it down while building their careers.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth, climbing from $27,880 to $31,812 over four years. While this program doesn't reach the elite tier—California's top programs push graduates above $40,000—it performs solidly for students who need to enter the workforce quickly. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to serve working-class families looking for accessible healthcare career entry points.

The value here is straightforward: reasonable debt, above-average earnings for California, and credentials that lead to steady employment. Medical assisting remains one of the more reliable pathways into healthcare without requiring years of schooling. For families seeking a practical investment rather than aspirational outcomes, this program delivers what it promises at a price point that won't create lasting financial strain.

Where InterCoast Colleges-West Covina Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How InterCoast Colleges-West Covina graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
InterCoast Colleges-West Covina	$27,880	$31,812	+14%
Bay Area Medical Academy	$38,505	$52,333	+36%
Cabrillo College	$37,279	$45,575	+22%
Empire College	$40,838	$41,628	+2%
Unitek College	$32,827	$37,061	+13%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (185 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
InterCoast Colleges-West CovinaWest Covina	—	$27,880	$31,812	$9,500	0.34
Empire CollegeSanta Rosa	—	$40,838	$41,628	$13,213	0.32
Bay Area Medical AcademySan Francisco	—	$38,505	$52,333	$9,139	0.24
Charles A Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento	—	$38,064	—	$4,730	0.12
Cabrillo CollegeAptos	$1,270	$37,279	$45,575	—	—
Unitek CollegeSouth San Francisco	—	$34,873	$31,360	$8,409	0.24
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 InterCoast Colleges-West Covina, approximately 58% 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.