Medical Assisting at Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 2,528 in Waterloo, IA.

Program Analysis

At $39,614 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from Hawkeye Community College significantly outpace the $31,622 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 34.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Medical Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $16,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #285 ranking among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs places Hawkeye Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $39,614 to $43,405 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 11 apprenticeship pathways connected to Medical Assisting reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $39,614/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$440K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.9x
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)
$12,616
Out-of-state: $13,196
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,405
10% 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 Hawkeye 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

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Hawkeye Community College?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Medical Assisting graduates.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
Beyond Hawkeye Community 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 Hawkeye Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (252,100 annual openings) works in favor of Medical Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →