Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Mildred Elley School-Albany Campus

Mildred Elley's medical assisting program outperforms most New York competitors—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—but graduates face an unusual earnings trajectory. First-year earnings of $36,011 exceed the state median by about $3,000, a meaningful advantage when 80% of students receive Pell grants. The debt load of $21,462 is reasonable for this field, translating to a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio. Among 46 programs across New York, this represents a solid middle-tier option.

The concern is what happens after that first year. Earnings drop 8% by year four to $32,990, falling below even New York's state median. This pattern suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling in medical assisting roles rather than advancing into higher-paying positions. Compare this to CUNY Kingsborough or Orange County Community College, where medical assisting graduates earn $45,000-$52,000 and likely have better long-term mobility.

For families weighing this program, it comes down to immediate employability versus career growth. Mildred Elley delivers decent starting wages and manageable debt, but if your child hopes to substantially increase their earnings within a few years of graduation, the data suggests that won't happen here. Community college alternatives offer similar debt with significantly higher earning potential—worth serious consideration if those options are geographically accessible.