Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Northshore Technical Community College

Northshore Technical's medical assisting program sits in an interesting position: it ranks in the 60th percentile among Louisiana programs while falling below the national median. The $25,451 first-year earnings trail the national average by about $1,700, but they're actually $2,500 above Louisiana's typical medical assisting graduate. In a state where these programs often underpay compared to national standards, this program manages to outperform most local alternatives—though still falling short of top performers like Delgado ($29,905) and Baton Rouge Community College ($28,935).

The debt picture looks favorable at first glance. With $14,250 in loans ranking in the 11th percentile nationally (meaning 89% of programs saddle students with more debt), graduates start with manageable obligations. The 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow roughly half their first-year salary—reasonable for a quick-credential program. However, that $14,250 is still about $4,700 above what's typical nationally and in Louisiana, where median debt sits around $9,500.

For Louisiana families, this program offers above-average earning potential in a field known for steady employment, paired with relatively controlled debt despite being above state norms. It's a solid middle-ground choice rather than a standout opportunity.