Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at National Career College

National Career College's medical assisting certificate leaves graduates earning $24,872 in their first year—notably below both the California median ($26,897) and national average ($27,186) for the program. While the debt load is relatively modest at $8,340, this sits in the 84th percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs carry less debt. Among California's 185 medical assisting programs, this one lands at the 40th percentile: solidly below average in a state where top programs like Empire College and Bay Area Medical Academy produce graduates earning $38,000-$40,000 right out of the gate.

The 15% earnings growth to $28,622 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still trail state and national benchmarks even four years in. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on debt they can ill afford for outcomes that lag behind what's available at community colleges and better-performing private programs across California.

For an anxious parent, the math is straightforward: your child could attend a California community college offering the same credential with similar or lower debt and significantly better earnings prospects. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling constraints that make this program uniquely accessible, it's worth exploring alternatives that deliver stronger returns on the same investment of time and money.