Medical Assisting at American National University

Salem, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 643 in Salem, VA.

Program Analysis

At $26,563 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from American National University earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 27.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Medical Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Medical Assisting's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $11,652 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #772 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, American National University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $29,597 are relatively flat compared to the $26,563 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $26,563/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$301K
2.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
28.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$10,735
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,652
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,597
11% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Medical Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Occupational therapy assistants $68,340 +19.2% 73%
Physical therapist assistants $65,510 +22.0% 85%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340
+19.2% growth 73% AI-proof
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510
+22.0% growth 85% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Medical Assisting Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Medical Assisting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at American National University

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does American National University's Medical Assisting program score?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but American National University trails the majority of Medical Assisting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is American National University a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If American National University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of American National University?
There are 11 registered apprenticeships connected to Medical Assisting occupations, such as Ambulance Attendant (Emt) and Health Care Sanitary Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Medical Assisting graduates from American National University find jobs?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For American National University graduates specifically, local market conditions in VA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →