Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Platt College-Anaheim
Associate's Degree
plattcollege.eduAnalysis
Similar medical assisting programs in California typically produce first-year earnings around $48,900, but there's a puzzling drop-off at Platt College-Anaheim: by year four, median earnings fall to just $29,558. That's substantially below what new graduates at peer programs are earning. While the modest $7,229 debt load is far better than the $19,000 state median—making this one of the least expensive options in California—the earnings trajectory raises questions about whether graduates are advancing in the field or struggling to find full-time positions.
The comparison to other California programs is stark. Top performers like Carrington College campuses and Concorde Career College report first-year earnings above $59,000, more than double what Platt graduates appear to be making four years out. Even the state median of $48,900 for first-year earners tells a better story than Platt's fourth-year figure. For a program serving 60% Pell-eligible students who need reliable earnings growth, this downward trend matters.
The low debt here provides a cushion, but parents should investigate why earnings seem to decline rather than improve with experience. Before committing, ask the school directly about job placement rates, whether graduates work full-time in their field, and what explains the earnings pattern. The debt won't be crushing, but the career trajectory remains uncertain.
Where Platt College-Anaheim Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platt College-Anaheim | — | $29,558 | — |
| Concorde Career College-North Hollywood | $50,613 | $64,792 | +28% |
| Loma Linda University | $60,043 | $61,960 | +3% |
| Stanbridge University | $50,198 | $61,303 | +22% |
| Concorde Career College-Garden Grove | $59,559 | $61,059 | +3% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (100 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,804 | $48,908* | $29,558 | $7,229 | — | |
| — | $61,881* | $44,082 | $29,755 | 0.48 | |
| — | $61,881* | $44,082 | $29,755 | 0.48 | |
| — | $60,043* | $61,960 | $16,500 | 0.27 | |
| — | $59,559* | $61,059 | $29,750 | 0.50 | |
| — | $59,548* | — | $26,064 | 0.44 | |
| 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
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
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 Platt College-Anaheim, approximately 60% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 29 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.