Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Mt Hood Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$40,948

68th percentile

60th percentile in Oregon

Median Debt

$20,292

2% above national median

Analysis

Mt Hood's Allied Health program sits squarely at Oregon's median for both earnings and debt, which tells you something important: this is about what you should expect from a community college medical assistant program in this state. At $40,948 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $4,000 more than the national median, reflecting Oregon's higher cost of living and better wage floors in healthcare support roles.

The debt load of $20,292 translates to about half of first-year earnings—a manageable ratio that most graduates can handle. With monthly payments around $200-250 on standard repayment, this represents about 6-7% of gross monthly income, well within reasonable bounds. Lane Community College does edge out Mt Hood by about $1,200 annually, but the difference isn't dramatic enough to justify significant relocation or inconvenience if Mt Hood is more accessible.

The moderate sample size means these figures reflect real graduate outcomes, not outliers. For families in the Portland metro area, this program offers a straightforward path to stable healthcare employment without crushing debt. Medical assistants face solid job demand in Oregon, and starting near $41,000 with manageable debt positions graduates reasonably well, even if it won't fund a lavish lifestyle. This is the definition of a safe bet—not extraordinary, but reliably adequate.

Where Mt Hood Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Mt Hood Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Mt Hood Community CollegeGresham	$5,175	$40,948	—	$20,292	0.50
Lane Community CollegeEugene	$5,879	$42,142	$45,999	$25,131	0.60
Linn-Benton Community CollegeAlbany	$6,288	$37,152	$40,137	$17,321	0.47
National Median	—	$36,862	—	$19,825	0.54

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 Mt Hood Community College, approximately 21% 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.