Medical Assisting at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 217 students in Lafayette, LA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $19,788/yr fall 37% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,500 in median debt against $19,788 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #974 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Blue Cliff College-Lafayette falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $23,671 are relatively flat compared to the $19,788 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.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
48
Score
49
High End
Earnings $19,788/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$244K
4.6% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$23,671
20% 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

Medical Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Medical Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Medical Assisting earnings lower at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette?
Lower starting pay at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing Blue Cliff College-Lafayette's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Blue Cliff College-Lafayette?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Blue Cliff College-Lafayette graduates specifically, local market conditions in LA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →