Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at South Piedmont Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,923

Est. from NC median (18 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,702

Est. from NC median (7 programs)

Analysis

Medical assisting programs in North Carolina show a wide earnings spread, and South Piedmont's estimated outcomes fall right at the state median of roughly $35,000 in first-year earnings. Based on comparable allied health programs across North Carolina's community colleges, graduates typically carry around $18,700 in debt—noticeably lower than the state median of $22,000 for similar programs. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning graduates would owe about half their annual salary, which is manageable territory for a healthcare credential.

The challenge lies in the competitive landscape. Several North Carolina community colleges report substantially higher earnings for their allied health graduates—Martin and Southwestern both show outcomes above $42,000, nearly $8,000 more than the state median this program tracks. That gap matters when you're planning loan repayments on entry-level healthcare wages. The national benchmark of $36,862 also sits slightly above the state median, suggesting North Carolina's allied health market may be less lucrative than other regions.

For parents weighing this investment, the moderate debt load is encouraging, but the estimated earnings position this as a middle-of-the-pack option in a state where some community colleges deliver measurably better results. If your student has flexibility in location, comparing outcomes at the higher-performing NC schools could reveal whether those differences stem from program quality, regional job markets, or employer partnerships.

Where South Piedmont Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton	$2,022	$34,923*	—	$18,702*	—
Martin Community CollegeWilliamston	$2,523	$42,820*	$36,153	—*	—
Southwestern Community CollegeSylva	$5,806	$42,374*	$38,500	$18,702*	0.44
Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount	$2,883	$38,589*	$45,214	$14,882*	0.39
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury	$2,064	$37,465*	—	—*	—
Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord	$16,070	$37,422*	$34,382	$23,307*	0.62
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

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 South Piedmont Community College, approximately 18% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 18 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.