Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Prism Career Institute-West Atlantic City

Prism Career Institute's medical assisting program produces earnings well below what New Jersey students can expect from similar programs. At $23,992 in the first year, graduates earn about $4,000 less than the state median for medical assistants and nearly $10,000 below what students earn at the state's top programs like Eastwick College-Ramsey. While the program ranks at the 40th percentile in New Jersey—meaning roughly half of comparable programs do worse—the earnings remain concerning given that medical assisting roles in the greater Atlantic City area should offer reasonable entry-level pay.

The modest debt load of $7,600 is actually the program's strongest feature, coming in below both state and national averages. This keeps the financial risk manageable, with graduates owing less than four months of first-year earnings. The 18% earnings growth to $28,274 by year four also suggests some career progression, though even those later earnings trail the typical first-year outcomes at better-performing New Jersey programs.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the convenience or accessibility justifies accepting earnings that lag behind state alternatives. With 36 medical assisting programs across New Jersey, students have options that deliver stronger earning potential without necessarily taking on more debt. Unless location or scheduling constraints make other programs impractical, this represents a below-average return for the state.