Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at North-West College-Pomona

This program delivers solid but concerning results for medical assisting training. While North-West College-Pomona performs slightly above average nationally (58th percentile) and within California (60th percentile), the $28,420 starting salary represents a troubling early career peak—earnings actually decline to $27,553 by year four, a 3% drop when most careers show growth.

The debt picture is manageable at $9,500, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, meaning graduates can expect to earn about three times their debt in their first year. However, the stagnant earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term career prospects. Among California's 185 programs, this school sits in the middle tier, but top performers like Empire College ($40,838) and Bay Area Medical Academy ($38,505) deliver significantly higher starting salaries that could justify exploring alternatives.

For anxious parents, this program offers a relatively low-risk entry into healthcare with minimal debt burden, but the earnings ceiling appears low and comes quickly. The 64% Pell grant population suggests the school serves students with financial constraints well, but families should weigh whether the modest salary growth potential—and actual earnings decline shown here—aligns with their child's long-term financial goals. Consider this a stepping stone rather than a destination degree.