Medical Assisting at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Mercedita, PR · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce accepts 70% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 2,602 students in Mercedita, PR.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $9,318/yr fall 71% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 14.4x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $5,750 represents roughly 7 months of the $9,318 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #1058 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $17,108 show a 84% jump from the $9,318 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
40
Score
41
High End
Earnings $9,318/yr (-71% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$164K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
14.7x
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
$11,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,750
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$17,108
84% 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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Medical Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Medical Assisting from Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
Yes — 11 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Medical Assisting career paths, including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce.
What's the AI uncertainty for Medical Assisting careers?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
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 →