Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Muskegon Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$28,808

61st percentile

60th percentile in Michigan

Median Debt

$9,500

At national median

Analysis

Muskegon Community College's medical assisting certificate delivers exactly what you'd expect: middle-of-the-pack earnings with manageable debt. Graduates earn $28,808 in their first year, outperforming both the state median ($25,347) and national median ($27,186) for this credential. At 60th percentile among Michigan programs, it's solidly average but noticeably behind top community college options like Montcalm ($34,585) and Grand Rapids ($32,171)—a gap of roughly $3,000 to $6,000 annually.

The $9,500 debt load is reasonable for a certificate program, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33—meaning graduates owe about four months of their starting salary. This is manageable territory for an entry-level healthcare credential that gets you working quickly. The economics work because you're not taking on substantial debt for modest earnings.

The real question is opportunity cost. Other Michigan community colleges produce graduates earning 20% more in the same field, suggesting this program might underperform on job placement or employer connections. For a family looking at medical assisting as a practical, quick pathway to steady work, Muskegon delivers that—just not at the top tier. If a student can access those higher-performing programs at similar cost, they're worth exploring first.

Where Muskegon Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Muskegon Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (54 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Muskegon Community CollegeMuskegon	$6,990	$28,808	—	$9,500	0.33
Montcalm Community CollegeSidney	$4,860	$34,585	—	—	—
Baker CollegeOwosso	$12,810	$32,846	—	$14,776	0.45
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$32,171	$33,449	$7,210	0.22
Ross Medical Education Center-MidlandMidland	—	$27,186	$26,021	$9,500	0.35
Ross Medical Education Center-BrightonBrighton	—	$27,186	$26,021	$9,500	0.35
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

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 Muskegon Community College, approximately 28% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 33 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.