Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Orion Technical College

Orion Technical College graduates medical assistants earning $32,377 in their first year—well above the national median of $27,186 and placing them in the 85th percentile nationwide. But within Iowa's unusually strong market for this profession, where the state median is $32,840, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile. Several community colleges in the state consistently produce graduates earning $34,000 to $38,000 in their first year, suggesting parents might find better value elsewhere in Iowa.

The bigger concern is what happens next. Earnings drop 11% by year four to just $28,777, falling below both state and national medians. At $9,500 in debt—roughly one-third of first-year earnings—the initial debt burden is manageable, but this declining trajectory limits long-term financial flexibility. The program serves a predominantly lower-income student body (57% Pell recipients), making that earnings decline particularly worrisome for families banking on steady income growth.

If your child is set on medical assisting in Iowa, start by comparing outcomes at Des Moines Area or Southeastern Community College, where graduates consistently earn $36,000-plus. While Orion provides decent immediate returns, Iowa's community college system offers multiple programs that deliver stronger earning power without significantly more debt.