Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 4,689 in Chattanooga, TN.

Program Analysis

At $25,150 per year, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates from Chattanooga State Community College earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 57.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $5,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #378 of 1,065 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs, Chattanooga State Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $25,150/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$263K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
57.8x
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 (In-State)
$4,550
Out-of-state: $17,750
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 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 →

About Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines of patient care as a medical assistant in a busy clinic or doctor’s office. You’ll be the one taking vitals, drawing blood samples, and prepping exam rooms—the essential link between patients and physicians. As you build experience, you can specialize. You might pursue a high-growth path as a physical therapist assistant, actively helping patients recover from injury, or become an occupational therapy assistant, guiding them to regain daily living skills. This is hands-on, patient-facing work that requires a human touch and simply can’t be done remotely or automated. While entry-level roles provide a solid starting salary, experienced specialists in fields like therapy assistance often earn significantly more. The long-term demand is strong across the board, with some specialties projected to grow over 20%, offering a stable and rewarding career ladder from entry-level practitioner to seasoned expert.

Read the full Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Overview

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chattanooga State Community College

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 Chattanooga State Community College's Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services program score?
At 58/100, Chattanooga State Community College's Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Chattanooga State Community College?
At $5,500 in median debt, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates from Chattanooga State Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Chattanooga State Community College a good choice for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Chattanooga State Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 11 registered apprenticeships connected to Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services have roughly 252,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →