Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lake Washington Institute of Technology's medical assisting program delivers strong first-year earnings at $45,385—well above the national median and ranking in the 83rd percentile nationally. However, that initial success tells only part of the story. Within Washington state, this program sits at the 60th percentile, meaning roughly half of the state's 29 medical assisting programs produce better outcomes. More concerning, graduate earnings drop 13% by year four to $39,641, falling below both the state median and several competitor programs like Tacoma Community College ($58,382) and Highline College ($50,468).

The debt load of $20,335 is reasonable relative to first-year earnings, creating a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates earning $45,385 initially can handle this debt burden. The real question is why earnings decline rather than grow—this pattern suggests graduates may struggle to advance in their roles or face limited opportunities for professional development within medical assisting careers in the Seattle area.

For families weighing options, this program offers a solid entry point into healthcare at a reasonable price, but it's not the strongest choice in Washington. If your child is committed to medical assisting and can access programs like Tacoma Community College or Highline College instead, those deliver significantly better outcomes. Otherwise, use this as a stepping stone with a plan to pursue additional credentials or transition into higher-paying allied health roles within a few years.