Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,180

Est. from MN median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,755

Est. from MN median (3 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in Minnesota, this certificate looks like it could deliver roughly $40,000 in first-year earnings—a figure that matches the state median and puts graduates well ahead of the $27,186 national average for medical assisting programs. The estimated $18,755 debt load is higher than both the state and national medians, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 remains manageable. With only 14% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to be a program drawing primarily from families who can handle moderate borrowing.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Minnesota West operates in a less populated region, and the earnings estimate comes from just five programs statewide while the debt figure draws from three similar schools. Medical assistant salaries can vary significantly by employer type and location—working in Granite Falls versus the Twin Cities metro could mean different earning prospects entirely. The peer programs with actual reported data show a wide spread, from Lake Superior's $33,245 to Anoka Tech's $41,583, suggesting that outcomes depend heavily on local job markets and employer connections.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Minnesota West's connections to regional healthcare employers can deliver opportunities close to that $40,000 mark. Call the program directly and ask where recent graduates are working and what they're earning—actual placement data matters more than statewide estimates when you're dealing with a localized healthcare credential.

Where Minnesota West Community and Technical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (25 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls	$6,484	$40,180*	—	$18,755*	—
Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka	$6,267	$41,583*	—	$18,755*	0.45
Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake	$6,182	$40,253*	$37,549	$22,921*	0.57
Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemount	$6,419	$40,180*	$38,340	—*	—
Lake Superior CollegeDuluth	$5,786	$33,245*	$32,799	$16,000*	0.48
Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud	$10,899	$29,532*	$30,496	$14,042*	0.48
National Median	—	$27,186*	—	$9,500*	0.35

* 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 Minnesota West Community and Technical College, approximately 14% 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 5 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.