Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Pitt Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$34,294

38th percentile

40th percentile in North Carolina

Median Debt

$20,700

4% above national median

Analysis

Pitt Community College's medical assisting program sits squarely in the middle of North Carolina's community college landscape—landing at the 40th percentile statewide—but graduates earn roughly $8,000 less annually than peers at top NC programs like Martin Community College or Southwestern Community College. That gap matters when you're starting at $34,294 and barely seeing any income growth over four years. The manageable debt load of $20,700 (slightly below the state median) means graduates can typically handle their monthly payments, but the combination of below-average starting pay and minimal wage progression suggests limited advancement opportunities in this field.

The practical concern here is trajectory: earnings inch up just 3% over four years, suggesting graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly in medical assisting roles. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree as an economic stepping stone, but the modest returns compared to nearby alternatives raise questions about whether this particular program delivers the strongest outcome. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 isn't alarming, but it's not impressive either when higher-earning programs exist across the state.

If your child is set on medical assisting in eastern North Carolina, this program provides stable employment at reasonable debt levels. However, programs like Nash Community College deliver significantly better earnings for similar debt—worth the extra commute if geography allows.

Where Pitt Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Pitt Community 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
Pitt Community College	$34,294	$35,382	+3%
Nash Community College	$38,589	$45,214	+17%
Fayetteville Technical Community College	$33,112	$42,376	+28%
Central Piedmont Community College	$35,967	$40,746	+13%
Southwestern Community College	$42,374	$38,500	-9%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Pitt Community CollegeWinterville	$1,972	$34,294	$35,382	$20,700	0.60
Martin Community CollegeWilliamston	$2,523	$42,820	$36,153	—	—
Southwestern Community CollegeSylva	$5,806	$42,374	$38,500	$18,702	0.44
Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount	$2,883	$38,589	$45,214	$14,882	0.39
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury	$2,064	$37,465	—	—	—
Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord	$16,070	$37,422	$34,382	$23,307	0.62
National Median	—	$36,862	—	$19,825	0.54

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 Pitt Community College, approximately 38% 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 59 graduates with reported earnings and 51 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.