Median Earnings (1yr)
$27,880
55th percentile (60th in CA)
Median Debt
$9,500
At national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.34
Manageable
Sample Size
83
Adequate data

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

InterCoast Colleges-West CovinaOther allied health and medical assisting services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

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

InterCoast Colleges-West Covina graduates earn $28k, placing them in the 55th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

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

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
InterCoast Colleges-West Covina$27,880$31,812$9,5000.34
Empire College$40,838$41,628$13,2130.32
Bay Area Medical Academy$38,505$52,333$9,1390.24
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center$38,064—$4,7300.12
Cabrillo College$37,279$45,575——
Unitek College$34,873$31,360$8,4090.24
National Median$27,186—$9,5000.35

Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Empire College
Santa Rosa
—$40,838$13,213
Bay Area Medical Academy
San Francisco
—$38,505$9,139
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center
Sacramento
—$38,064$4,730
Cabrillo College
Aptos
$1,270$37,279—
Unitek College
South San Francisco
—$34,873$8,409

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.