Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Northwestern College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$28,304

58th percentile

40th percentile in Illinois

Median Debt

$13,542

43% above national median

Analysis

Northwestern College's medical assisting program charges students $13,542 in debt to reach earnings of just over $28,000—a number that doesn't budge over four years. While that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 looks manageable on paper, the real concern is where this stands among Illinois options: this program sits in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning three out of five comparable Illinois programs deliver better outcomes. Nearby community colleges like College of DuPage and Harper College place graduates at $36,000-$40,000, a gap of roughly $8,000-$12,000 annually that compounds over a career.

The flat earnings trajectory is particularly troubling. Most allied health graduates see at least modest wage growth as they gain experience, but this program's alumni earn essentially the same in year four as year one. Combined with serving a predominantly low-income student body (75% Pell recipients), this means graduates face limited financial mobility precisely when they need it most.

The one bright spot: the debt load, while higher than the Illinois median, remains relatively low compared to many certificate programs nationwide. For a student with no other pathway into healthcare and limited options, this provides an entry point. But for anyone with access to one of Illinois's stronger community college programs—many with lower or comparable debt and significantly better earnings—this isn't where I'd invest limited family resources.

Where Northwestern College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Northwestern College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Northwestern College	$28,304	$28,283	-0%
William Rainey Harper College	$36,111	$48,633	+35%
State Career College	$26,123	$33,601	+29%
First Institute of Travel Inc.	$33,597	$31,754	-5%
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park	$31,098	$31,123	+0%

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (50 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Northwestern CollegeOak Lawn	$18,475	$28,304	$28,283	$13,542	0.48
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn	$4,320	$40,196	—	$10,656	0.27
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine	$3,822	$36,111	$48,633	$9,834	0.27
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago	$4,380	$35,140	—	$11,000	0.31
First Institute of Travel Inc.Crystal Lake	—	$33,597	$31,754	$9,500	0.28
Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey	$3,552	$32,224	—	$6,360	0.20
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

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.

Sample Size: Based on 82 graduates with reported earnings and 113 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.