Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Northwest Career College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Northwest Career College's medical assisting program delivers solid value with reasonable debt and competitive earnings. With first-year earnings of $28,293 and graduation debt of just $9,500, students face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34—meaning debt equals about four months of income. This compares favorably to many healthcare programs where debt can easily exceed annual earnings.
The program performs respectably both nationally (57th percentile) and within Nevada (60th percentile), though it doesn't crack the top tier. Among Nevada's 10 medical assisting programs, it ranks right at the state median for earnings but trails the strongest performers like Carrington College-Reno ($32,932) by about $4,600 annually. However, the debt level is reasonable and typical for this field nationally.
For families seeking an affordable entry point into healthcare, this program offers a practical path. The 80% Pell grant recipient rate suggests the school serves working-class students well, and the robust sample size of 100+ graduates provides confidence in these outcomes. While not the highest-earning medical assisting program in Nevada, the combination of modest debt and decent earnings creates a solid foundation for students who want to enter the healthcare workforce quickly without crushing debt.
Where Northwest Career 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 Northwest Career College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Northwest Career College graduates earn $28k, placing them in the 57th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Nevada
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Nevada (10 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Career College | $28,293 | — | $9,500 | 0.34 |
| Carrington College-Reno | $32,932 | $29,475 | $9,500 | 0.29 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas | $31,915 | $33,511 | $9,457 | 0.30 |
| Las Vegas College | $29,958 | $28,242 | $8,810 | 0.29 |
| Carrington College-Las Vegas | $29,556 | $29,935 | $9,174 | 0.31 |
| Milan Institute-Sparks | $27,459 | $28,858 | $8,124 | 0.30 |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in Nevada
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Nevada schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College-Reno Reno | — | $32,932 | $9,500 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas Las Vegas | — | $31,915 | $9,457 |
| Las Vegas College Las Vegas | $17,684 | $29,958 | $8,810 |
| Carrington College-Las Vegas Las Vegas | — | $29,556 | $9,174 |
| Milan Institute-Sparks Sparks | — | $27,459 | $8,124 |
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 Northwest Career College, approximately 80% 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 557 graduates with reported earnings and 625 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.