Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Muskegon Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Muskegon Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Muskegon Community College graduates earn $29k, placing them in the 61th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate 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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon Community College | $28,808 | — | $9,500 | 0.33 |
| Montcalm Community College | $34,585 | — | — | — |
| Baker College | $32,846 | — | $14,776 | 0.45 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | $32,171 | $33,449 | $7,210 | 0.22 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Midland | $27,186 | $26,021 | $9,500 | 0.35 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Brighton | $27,186 | $26,021 | $9,500 | 0.35 |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in Michigan
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Michigan schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montcalm Community College Sidney | $4,860 | $34,585 | — |
| Baker College Owosso | $12,810 | $32,846 | $14,776 |
| Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids | $4,059 | $32,171 | $7,210 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Midland Midland | — | $27,186 | $9,500 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Brighton Brighton | — | $27,186 | $9,500 |
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.