Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Ross Medical Education Center-Lansing

This Ross Medical Education Center program delivers below-average national earnings but performs reasonably well within Michigan's competitive landscape. At $25,879 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $1,300 less than the national median for medical assisting programs, placing them in the 38th percentile nationally. However, among Michigan's 54 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—meaning it outperforms most in-state competitors despite trailing top programs like Montcalm Community College ($34,585) by a significant margin.

The financial picture is manageable with $9,500 in median debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37—well below problematic levels. What's concerning is the virtual absence of earnings growth: graduates see only a 1% increase from year one to year four, suggesting limited career advancement potential. With 87% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves a financially vulnerable population who need strong employment outcomes.

For parents considering this investment, the program offers affordable entry into healthcare support roles but with constrained earning potential. While the debt load is reasonable, your child would likely find better long-term prospects at community colleges like Montcalm or Grand Rapids, which deliver significantly higher earnings for similar training. This program works as a quick entry point to employment, but shouldn't be viewed as a pathway to substantial income growth.