Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario

Graduates of this program earn roughly $30,000 four years out—less than half what the typical California medical assistant makes. At the 10th percentile statewide, this program ranks near the bottom among California's 100 allied health programs. The gap is striking: California's median is $48,900, and top programs like Carrington College-Sacramento produce graduates earning over $60,000. Even nationally, where wages are lower, this program sits in just the 13th percentile.

The $19,000 debt load appears reasonable in isolation and matches California's median for this field. But paired with $27,000 first-year earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.70—meaning graduates carry roughly 70% of their annual salary in student loans. The modest 10% earnings growth over four years offers little relief. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are already financially stretched and may struggle with these economics.

For parents considering this investment, the math is unfavorable. Your child could likely attend a different California medical assisting program and earn $20,000-$30,000 more annually with similar debt. That difference—nearly $100,000 over four years—dwarfs the upfront cost of being more selective about school choice. Unless this location offers compelling personal circumstances, exploring higher-performing California programs would be prudent.