Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Madera Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,908

Est. from CA median (29 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$14,000

Est. from CA median (3 programs)

Analysis

The estimated $14,000 debt load for an associate degree in allied health at Madera Community College looks manageable against projected first-year earnings around $49,000—a ratio of 0.29 that suggests reasonable affordability. Drawing from the median outcomes of comparable California programs, this represents a significantly lighter debt burden than the state median of $19,000 while matching typical earnings for this field in California. The $49,000 first-year figure substantially exceeds the national median of $37,000, though this premium likely reflects California's higher cost of living as much as stronger earning potential.

The challenge is that these estimates tell us what peer programs produce, not what Madera's specific program delivers. California's allied health landscape varies dramatically—from community colleges with modest outcomes to top performers like Carrington-Sacramento, where graduates earn over $61,000. Without reported data from Madera itself, we can't know whether its program tracks closer to state averages or underperforms them. Community colleges generally offer cost advantages, which the estimated debt reflects, but alumni outcomes can differ significantly even among institutions using the same pedagogical model.

If you're considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest a workable investment—but verify completion rates, clinical placement partnerships, and job placement support specific to Madera before committing. The debt appears manageable if earnings materialize as projected, but actual outcomes for this campus remain uncertain.

Where Madera Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (100 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Madera Community CollegeMadera	$1,334	$48,908*	—	$14,000*	—
Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento	—	$61,881*	$44,082	$29,755*	0.48
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill CampusPleasant Hill	—	$61,881*	$44,082	$29,755*	0.48
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda	—	$60,043*	$61,960	$16,500*	0.27
Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove	—	$59,559*	$61,059	$29,750*	0.50
Institute of TechnologyClovis	—	$59,548*	—	$26,064*	0.44
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Madera Community College, approximately 18% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 29 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.