Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Valley College of Medical Careers

Valley College of Medical Careers graduates students with manageable debt—at $8,127, it's below both state and national medians—but that advantage doesn't translate into strong earning potential. First-year earnings of $26,214 trail not just top California programs like Empire College ($40,838) but also the state median. While earnings do climb 15% by year four, reaching just over $30,000, this still falls short of what many California medical assisting programs deliver.

The low debt matters, especially for the program's predominantly low-income student body (77% receive Pell grants). A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means graduates can realistically manage their loans. However, ranking around the 40th percentile statewide means there are plenty of alternatives in California offering better returns. The gap between this program and top performers isn't marginal—it's $10,000 to $15,000 annually, which compounds significantly over a career.

For families prioritizing affordability above all else, the low debt load provides some breathing room. But if your child can access comparable programs at community colleges or higher-performing trade schools—several of which appear in California's top tier—those would likely offer better long-term value. The modest earnings here mean financial security will require careful budgeting, even with the lower debt burden.