Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Rogue Community College

Rogue Community College's medical assisting program posts impressive earnings compared to most schools nationally, but the Oregon picture tells a different story. While $36,717 first-year earnings lands in the 95th percentile nationally, it's actually below the state median of $37,349—putting it in just the 40th percentile among Oregon programs. Portland Community College and Central Oregon Community College both deliver substantially higher starting earnings for similar training. The debt load of $12,930 is reasonable but runs higher than both state and national medians, creating a tricky value equation for Oregon families.

The earnings decline to $33,614 by year four raises questions about advancement opportunities in the Grants Pass area compared to Oregon's larger metro markets. Medical assisting roles typically offer stable if modest pay, but graduates here might be hitting a regional ceiling that peers in Portland or Bend don't face. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, that $3,000+ earnings dip over four years matters for financial stability.

For families in Southern Oregon who need to stay local, this program offers solid entry into healthcare work with manageable debt. But Oregon students with flexibility should seriously compare to higher-performing programs closer to Portland or Bend, where both starting salaries and earnings trajectories appear stronger for the same credential.