Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's medical assisting program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground—below what graduates could earn at similar Texas programs, yet saddled with higher debt than most certificate options should carry. At $23,072 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $1,500 less than the Texas median and nearly $4,100 below the national average for this credential. While the program ranks at the 40th percentile statewide, that still means six out of ten comparable Texas programs deliver better outcomes. The top performers in the state—Houston Community College and Lone Star College—show graduates earning $33,000+, demonstrating what's possible even in certificate-level medical assisting.

The debt picture compounds the concern. An $11,466 loan burden represents nearly half a year's starting salary, which is manageable in absolute terms but problematic when earnings show essentially no growth over four years. The 2% increase from year one to year four barely keeps pace with inflation, suggesting limited advancement opportunities. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants here, meaning many families are taking on debt they can ill afford for outcomes that lag behind what Houston-area community colleges deliver.

For El Paso families, this matters: if relocating isn't realistic, this program provides entry to healthcare work without overwhelming debt. But if attending a Houston or Dallas program is feasible, the $10,000+ earnings premium would quickly offset any additional costs.