Medical Assisting at Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

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

Program Analysis

At $25,150 per year, Medical Assisting 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 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 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 Medical Assisting programs, Chattanooga State Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Medical Assisting 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 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 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 Medical Assisting program score?
At 58/100, Chattanooga State Community College's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Medical Assisting at Chattanooga State Community College?
At $5,500 in median debt, Medical Assisting 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 Medical Assisting 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing Chattanooga State Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Chattanooga State Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →