Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Pitt Community College

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.