Medical Assisting at Essex County College

Newark, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a mid-sized student body of 5,643 in Newark, NJ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $54,592 put Essex County College's Medical Assisting program 73% above the national median of $31,622 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 58.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Medical Assisting graduates.

Ranked #46 out of 1,065 programs, Essex County College's Medical Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $54,592 to $61,219 over five years (12% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 11 registered apprenticeships mapped to Medical Assisting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $54,592/yr (73% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$623K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.3x
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)
$10,692
Out-of-state: $18,636
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,219
12% 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

Explore what Medical Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1065 programs nationwide.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Essex County College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Essex County College's Medical Assisting program score?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Medical Assisting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Essex County College one of the best schools for Medical Assisting?
Ranked #46 of 1,065 programs nationally, Essex County College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
Beyond Essex County College's classroom route, 11 registered apprenticeships map to Medical Assisting careers — including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Medical Assisting graduates from Essex County College find jobs?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Essex County 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 →