Median Earnings (1yr)
$25,879
38th percentile
60th percentile in West Virginia
Median Debt
$9,500
At national median

Analysis

Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston delivers solid value for a medical assisting program, particularly within West Virginia's market. While graduates earn about $2,000 less than the national median ($25,879 vs. $27,186), they outperform 60% of similar programs in West Virginia, where the state median is $25,153. The program's debt load of $9,500 is exactly at national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37β€”meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay off their loans.

The concerning reality is the lack of earnings growth: graduates see virtually no income progression from year one to year four (just 1% growth). This suggests medical assisting roles hit an earnings ceiling quickly, which is typical for this field but important to understand upfront. With 87% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves lower-income students seeking accessible healthcare career entry.

For anxious parents, this program represents a relatively safe bet for immediate employment in healthcare, but not a path to significant income growth. At under $26,000 annually, these earnings require realistic expectations about lifestyle and long-term financial goals. The low debt burden and decent state-level performance make it a reasonable choice for students seeking quick entry into stable healthcare work, but families hoping for substantial earning potential should consider other healthcare pathways.

Where Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston$25,879$26,069+1%
Bay Area Medical Academy$38,505$52,333+36%
Ross College-Morgantown$25,789$25,152-2%
Valley College-Martinsburg$25,153$24,468-3%
Valley College-Beckley$19,046$21,265+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in West Virginia

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in West Virginia (19 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Ross Medical Education Center-CharlestonCharleston$25,879$26,069$9,5000.37
Ross College-MorgantownMorgantown$25,789$25,152$9,5000.37
Valley College-MartinsburgMartinsburg$25,153$24,468$9,5000.38
Martinsburg CollegeMartinsburg$23,773β€”$8,3830.35
Valley College-BeckleyBeckley$19,046$21,265$9,5000.50
National Median$27,186β€”$9,5000.35

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 Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston, approximately 87% 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 701 graduates with reported earnings and 820 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.