Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Middlesex Community College

Similar allied health programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $44,710—substantially above the national median of $36,862 for this field. That's the good news. The estimated debt burden of $15,723 creates a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary. For comparison, other Massachusetts community colleges with reported outcomes in this field show nearly identical earnings patterns, with North Shore and Mount Wachusett graduates earning in the mid-$40,000s.

The challenge here is uncertainty. These figures come from just three comparable programs statewide—a small sample that may not capture the full range of outcomes. Massachusetts' strong healthcare sector likely drives these higher-than-national earnings, but your child's actual results will depend heavily on their specific role (medical assistant versus diagnostic technician, for instance) and employer. The relatively low Pell grant percentage at Middlesex (19%) suggests fewer low-income students, which might indicate the college serves communities with different healthcare job access.

The fundamentals look reasonable: lower-than-national debt paired with higher-than-national earnings. But before committing, verify which specific credentials this program leads to and what those roles actually pay in your area. An associate's degree that prepares someone for a $30,000 medical assistant position looks very different from one leading to a $50,000 diagnostic tech role, even if both fall under "allied health."