Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES

With earnings that trail both the New York median ($27,960) and national average ($27,186) for this certificate, this BOCES program falls short of what similar schools deliver—sitting in just the 40th percentile statewide. The strongest medical assisting programs in New York generate first-year earnings exceeding $35,000, meaning graduates here are earning roughly $9,000 less annually than they could at better-performing alternatives within the state.

The positive news is the low debt burden: at $8,233, it's manageable on a sub-$30,000 salary, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's completely reasonable at 0.31. The 11% earnings growth to year four suggests some career progression, though reaching $29,440 still leaves graduates well behind where they'd be starting at top-tier programs. For a student body where 60% receive Pell grants, the modest debt matters—this won't create a financial crisis.

For families considering this program, the calculation is straightforward: you're accepting below-average earnings in exchange for minimal debt and local accessibility through the BOCES system. If convenience and staying near Syracuse are priorities, this works as a low-risk entry point into healthcare. But if your child can access one of the stronger New York programs—particularly those near $35,000 in starting salary—the higher earnings would likely justify any additional cost or commute within just a couple of years.