Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Westchester School for Medical & Dental Assistants

Westchester School for Medical & Dental Assistants produces starting salaries ($34,900) that rank in the 95th percentile nationally for medical assisting programs—and does it with remarkably low debt at $4,728, less than half the state median. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (84% Pell recipients), yet delivers outcomes competitive with New York's top performers. That 60th percentile ranking within New York reflects just how strong the state's medical assisting programs are overall; this school is still outperforming the state median by nearly $7,000.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 17% decline from year one to year four, dropping to $28,917. This likely reflects the reality of medical assistant career paths, where pay often plateaus quickly without additional credentials. However, with debt representing just 14% of first-year earnings, graduates have breathing room to pursue further training or certifications if they choose.

For families seeking affordable entry into healthcare, this program delivers strong initial placement at minimal financial risk. The first-year premium over typical medical assisting salaries creates immediate value, and the low debt ensures that even if earnings plateau, graduates won't be trapped by payments. Just understand that staying in a medical assistant role long-term may require accepting relatively flat earnings growth.