Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at The College of Westchester

The College of Westchester's medical assisting program starts near the state average but drops significantly by year four—graduates earn $38,600 initially but see that fall to $34,904, a 10% decline at a time when most careers are climbing. Among New York's 46 programs, this places in the 60th percentile for initial earnings, meaning it beats about half the state's options. However, when top programs like Orange County Community College place graduates earning over $51,000, the gap becomes harder to ignore.

The debt load of $20,118 is typical for this field nationally, but the backwards earnings trajectory changes how quickly graduates can pay it down. At 67% Pell grant recipients, many students here are counting on upward mobility that these numbers don't consistently deliver. The solid first-year placement suggests the program connects students to entry-level positions, but something—whether it's advancement limitations, credential requirements for higher-paying roles, or local market factors—appears to stall progress after graduation.

For families weighing this investment: the first-year outcomes are decent, particularly compared to New York's median for medical assisting programs. But the earnings decline means you're effectively paying for a credential that gets your child in the door, not necessarily one that opens paths upward. If staying in the Westchester area for work matters, research whether local employers value this program's connections enough to justify choosing it over a CUNY option that costs less and shows stronger four-year earnings.