Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Mandl School-The College of Allied Health

Medical assistants often face limited career progression, and Mandl's program illustrates this reality. While first-year earnings of $33,679 match the New York median for the field, graduates actually earn slightly less four years later—a concerning pattern for a profession that already pays below the national average for allied health programs.

Here's the counterintuitive finding: Mandl ranks in the 60th percentile among New York programs despite earning $4,000 less than the national median. That's because New York's allied health wages are compressed—the state median for this program sits at $32,890, actually below the national figure. Still, looking at the top performers like Orange County Community College ($51,727) shows what's possible even in this field. The debt load of $19,000 isn't excessive on its own, but paired with flat wages that hover around $33,000, graduates face limited financial mobility.

The 84% Pell grant rate indicates Mandl serves students with significant financial need, making the earnings trajectory especially important. For families counting on this degree to provide stable economic advancement, the stagnant wages from year one to year four should factor heavily into the decision. Community colleges like Kingsborough or Nassau deliver substantially better outcomes at likely lower cost, making them worth serious consideration for students committed to this career path.