Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at San Diego City College

At $14,000 in estimated debt—based on similar California community college programs—this associate's degree appears positioned below both the state median ($19,000) and national median ($19,825) for medical assisting programs. That's meaningful in a field where controlling costs matters, since comparable California programs suggest first-year earnings around $49,000. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 falls well within manageable territory, particularly for a two-year credential in allied health.

The earnings estimate, drawn from 29 similar California programs, exceeds the national median by over $12,000—reflecting California's higher healthcare wages rather than any school-specific advantage. However, it's worth noting that top-performing medical assisting programs in the state report outcomes above $60,000, suggesting room for variation depending on specialization, clinical training quality, and employer connections. Medical assisting encompasses everything from basic administrative work to clinical procedures, and program focus can significantly impact starting wages.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers point toward a low-debt entry into healthcare work, though the lack of reported data means you're making decisions with less certainty about this specific program's track record. Community college pricing keeps debt manageable, but understanding whether San Diego City's curriculum aligns with higher-paying medical assisting roles—and whether graduates secure those positions—requires direct conversation with the program about job placement and clinical training partnerships.