Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Valley Grande's medical assisting certificate shows troubling outcomes that should concern any parent. Graduates earn just $16,540 their first year—less than full-time minimum wage work—while carrying nearly $10,000 in debt. This lands the program in the bottom 10% of Texas medical assisting programs and the bottom 5% nationally. Compare this to Houston Community College, where similar graduates earn $35,469, or even the Texas state median of $24,563.
The debt itself isn't enormous at $9,500, but paired with earnings this low, it represents a significant burden. Medical assistants elsewhere in Texas typically earn 50% more right out of school, and those graduates would pay off this same debt load far more easily. The 99% Pell Grant rate indicates the school serves almost exclusively low-income students, making these weak earnings particularly problematic for families who can least afford a credential that doesn't deliver.
For a medical assisting certificate, numerous Texas community colleges produce far stronger results at similar or lower cost. This program's outcomes suggest graduates are struggling to find the entry-level healthcare positions these certificates are designed to provide.
Where Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies graduates compare to all programs nationally
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies graduates earn $17k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (89 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies | $16,540 | — | $9,500 | 0.57 |
| Houston Community College | $35,469 | $37,034 | $16,035 | 0.45 |
| Lone Star College System | $33,233 | $36,759 | $9,105 | 0.27 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston | $31,915 | $33,511 | $9,457 | 0.30 |
| Pima Medical Institute-El Paso | $31,915 | $33,511 | $9,457 | 0.30 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio | $31,915 | $33,511 | $9,457 | 0.30 |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Community College Houston | $2,040 | $35,469 | $16,035 |
| Lone Star College System The Woodlands | $3,090 | $33,233 | $9,105 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston Houston | — | $31,915 | $9,457 |
| Pima Medical Institute-El Paso El Paso | — | $31,915 | $9,457 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio San Antonio | — | $31,915 | $9,457 |
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 Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies, approximately 99% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.