Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Mayfield College

Mayfield College's medical assisting program shows a troubling pattern: graduates earn $28,928 in their first year—a decent start that beats both state and national medians—but then see earnings drop to $24,154 by year four. That's a 16% decline when most workers expect modest raises, suggesting many graduates either leave the field or struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions. Among California's 185 programs, Mayfield ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack (60th percentile), but top programs in the state show what's actually possible, with graduates earning $35,000-$40,000 annually.

The $9,025 in debt is manageable at first glance—about 31% of first-year earnings—but that ratio becomes less favorable as earnings decline. For a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (84%), this debt burden could become problematic if graduates can't maintain their initial earning power. The program attracts working-class students who need reliable returns, and the backwards earnings trajectory raises questions about job stability or limited advancement opportunities in this field.

If your child is committed to medical assisting, recognize they're likely peaking financially in year one. Push them to use that early earning period to minimize debt and explore pathways to higher-level healthcare roles. Given the earnings decline, this works better as a stepping stone than a destination career.