Medical Assisting at Highline College
a smaller institution with 3,487 students in Des Moines, WA.
Program Analysis
Highline College Medical Assisting graduates command $50,468/yr out of the gate, well above the $31,622 national median. That 60% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 57.7x 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #62 of 1,065 programs, Highline College's Medical Assisting program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Five-year earnings of $53,059 are relatively flat compared to the $50,468 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Medical Assisting Overview
Medical Assisting at Other Schools
Other Majors at Highline College
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