Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Whatcom Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,096

Est. from WA median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$14,875

Est. from WA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs across Washington state, Whatcom's certificate appears positioned in the middle of the pack for medical assisting outcomes—peer institutions suggest first-year earnings around $37,000, which sits well above the national median of $27,186 for this field. The estimated debt load of nearly $15,000, however, runs higher than both Washington's typical $9,626 and the national median of $9,500 for similar certificates. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates might be carrying about 40% of their first-year salary in loans, which creates a tighter financial margin than many comparable programs in the state.

What makes this estimation challenging is the wide range among Washington's medical assisting programs. The top performers like North Seattle College show graduates earning nearly $49,000—about $12,000 more than what similar programs suggest for Whatcom—while carrying comparable or lower debt. That gap matters when you're trying to pay off loans on a medical assistant's salary, where even a few thousand dollars difference can significantly affect monthly budgeting.

For parents considering this certificate, the key question is whether Whatcom offers specific advantages—location, schedule flexibility, or connections to local healthcare employers—that justify potentially higher debt than peer programs. If your student can access one of Washington's stronger-performing medical assisting programs, the earnings advantage could pay dividends over time.

Where Whatcom Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Washington (31 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Whatcom Community CollegeBellingham	$5,146	$37,096*	—	$14,875*	—
North Seattle CollegeSeattle	$5,058	$48,502*	$48,060	$16,867*	0.35
Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla	$6,513	$38,894*	$34,284	$14,875*	0.38
Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatchee	$5,118	$38,841*	$37,243	$9,626*	0.25
Carrington College-SpokaneSpokane	—	$38,395*	$33,794	$9,500*	0.25
Perry Technical InstituteYakima	—	$37,096*	$35,953	$7,892*	0.21
National Median	—	$27,186*	—	$9,500*	0.35

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 Whatcom Community College, approximately 19% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.