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

San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates earn roughly $21,000 less annually than the typical California graduate from this program—a gap that places it in the bottom 10% statewide. With first-year earnings of $27,132, graduates here make about half what peers at top California programs earn, and they're trailing the state median by over 40%. Even the national median of $36,862 sits nearly $10,000 higher. This isn't just underperformance; it's a fundamentally different outcome than most allied health programs deliver in California.

The $19,000 debt load is manageable on paper, but context matters. While that debt figure matches the state median, it becomes problematic when paired with such low earnings. A medical assistant clearing $27,000 will feel that loan payment far more than someone earning $48,000—the California norm for this field. The modest 10% earnings growth over four years offers little relief, as graduates still earn just $29,751 four years out.

For families considering California allied health programs, this one ranks near the bottom of your options. If staying in California is important for in-state tuition or family reasons, community college medical assisting programs often deliver similar or better outcomes at lower cost. If private career colleges appeal to you, look at schools like Carrington or Concorde, where graduates earn double what you'd see here.