Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Pikes Peak State College

Medical assisting programs in Colorado vary considerably in outcomes, and while Pikes Peak State College's specific graduate data isn't available, peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $43,500. That figure sits right at the state median—comparable to what graduates earn from Arapahoe and Pueblo community colleges, though trailing Concorde Career College-Aurora by roughly $6,000.

The estimated debt load of $17,600 works out to about five months of first-year income, which is manageable for an associate degree. More importantly, this figure comes in well below both the state median ($24,300) and national median ($19,800) for similar programs, suggesting Pikes Peak may offer a more affordable path than many alternatives. For a field where most positions require only an associate credential, keeping debt low matters more than chasing marginally higher starting salaries.

The practical question is whether medical assisting provides enough earning potential to justify two years of education. At around $43,500, graduates should be able to handle their loan payments while covering living expenses in Colorado Springs, where the cost of living runs slightly below Denver's. But this isn't a high-earning field—it's stable work that pays modestly. If your student is comparing this to other healthcare options, consider that medical assisting typically tops out earlier than nursing or specialized technical roles that start with similar credentials.