Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,260
43rd percentile
40th percentile in Maine
Median Debt
$21,787
10% above national median

Analysis

Kennebec Valley Community College's medical assisting program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, both nationally and within Maine—ranking around the 40th percentile in each. Graduates earn $35,260 initially, about $1,600 less than Maine's median for this field and roughly $3,700 behind the top program at Southern Maine Community College. The debt load of $21,787 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, though it's slightly higher than what students typically take on at competing Maine programs.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $37,168 by year four—a 5% increase that roughly tracks inflation rather than representing meaningful career advancement. For context, medical assistants and allied health workers in this field often hit their earning ceiling relatively quickly, so this pattern isn't unusual. The debt is reasonable enough to pay off within a few years if managed carefully.

The bottom line: this program delivers predictable outcomes without notable upside or downside. If your child is committed to medical assisting and prefers staying local, KVCC will get them there for a moderate price. However, if Southern Maine Community College is geographically feasible, that extra $5,700 in annual earnings could justify the commute or relocation, particularly given the relatively flat earning trajectory in this field.

Where Kennebec Valley Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Kennebec Valley Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Kennebec Valley Community College$35,260$37,168+5%
Tacoma Community College$58,382$64,947+11%
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood$50,613$64,792+28%
Southern Maine Community College$40,964$41,006+0%
Beal University$38,540$33,465-13%

Compare to Similar Programs in Maine

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Maine (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Kennebec Valley Community CollegeFairfield$3,562$35,260$37,168$21,7870.62
Southern Maine Community CollegeSouth Portland$3,797$40,964$41,006$17,5000.43
Beal UniversityBangor$38,540$33,465$19,9790.52
Eastern Maine Community CollegeBangor$3,877$35,194
National Median$36,862$19,8250.54

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 Kennebec Valley Community College, approximately 31% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 57 graduates with reported earnings and 58 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.