Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Perry Technical Institute

Perry Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce earning $37,096—nearly $10,000 above the national median for medical assisting programs and matching Washington's state median exactly. With just $7,892 in debt, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings. That's an unusually favorable starting position for a certificate program serving a largely working-class student body (49% receive Pell grants).

The catch is modest: earnings slip slightly to $35,953 by year four. This 3% decline isn't unusual in medical assisting roles, which often see wage compression as workers gain experience but remain in similar positions. What matters more is that Perry graduates start strong and carry manageable debt. While North Seattle College graduates earn $11,000 more annually, they're the exception rather than the rule among Washington programs.

For families in the Yakima area looking at healthcare career training, this represents a practical pathway with minimal financial risk. The combination of below-average debt and above-average starting wages means graduates can begin building financial stability immediately rather than spending years clawing out from under loan payments.