Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Monroe University

Monroe University's medical assisting program starts graduates at just $25,237—roughly $8,000 below the New York state median and in the bottom 5% nationally. While that first-year number is concerning, the trajectory tells a more complete story: by year four, earnings jump 47% to nearly $37,000, approaching both state and national benchmarks. The debt load of $13,900 is actually lower than typical for New York programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio even in that difficult first year.

The key question is whether that initial earnings gap closes entirely or represents a persistent disadvantage. Looking at top programs in New York—where Kingsborough Community College graduates start at $45,000 and Orange County Community College hits $52,000—Monroe's graduates clearly earn less even after several years of growth. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (58%), which may influence both initial job placement and the types of medical assisting roles graduates accept.

For families, this presents a clear tradeoff: lower debt than most New York alternatives, but earnings that lag behind throughout your career. If minimizing borrowing is the priority and your student is willing to work through several years of modest pay, the math works. But if maximizing earning potential matters more, the community college alternatives offer substantially better outcomes from day one.