Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Northwestern College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,034

Est. from IL median (15 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,563

Est. from national median (130 programs)

Analysis

Northwestern College's estimated debt load of $25,563 stands notably higher than what similar allied health programs in Illinois typically carry—about $8,500 more than the state median. For a field where first-year earnings hover around $40,000 based on comparable Illinois programs, that debt difference matters. The 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory, but it reflects a heavier borrowing burden than peers are taking on for similar outcomes.

What's particularly striking here is the earnings trajectory. While peer programs in Illinois suggest starting earnings around $40,000, Northwestern's own graduates report $35,091 four years out—a backward slide that's unusual for healthcare support roles, which typically see modest but steady growth. Several community colleges in the area report significantly stronger outcomes: Oakton graduates earn $52,000, and even mid-tier programs like Morton College show $43,000. Given that 75% of Northwestern students receive Pell grants, these families are borrowing more to access a program that appears to underperform local alternatives.

The core question is whether this specific program connects students to the higher-paying opportunities that clearly exist in Illinois allied health. The backwards earnings trend combined with above-average debt suggests exploring those community college alternatives first, particularly ones with established clinical partnerships in the region.

Where Northwestern College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Northwestern College	—	$35,091	—
Morton College	$42,975	$55,051	+28%
Elgin Community College	$46,319	$50,624	+9%
Fox College	$42,418	$48,022	+13%
Parkland College	$36,872	$42,144	+14%

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (33 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Northwestern CollegeOak Lawn	$18,475	$40,034*	$35,091	$25,563*	—
Oakton CollegeDes Plaines	$3,985	$52,161*	—	—*	—
South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland	$5,093	$46,568*	—	—*	—
Elgin Community CollegeElgin	$3,180	$46,319*	$50,624	—*	—
Morton CollegeCicero	$4,884	$42,975*	$55,051	—*	—
Fox CollegeTinley Park	$17,190	$42,418*	$48,022	$21,579*	0.51
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 Northwestern College, approximately 75% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.