Medical Assisting at Northeast Alabama Community College

Rainsville, AL · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 1,547 students in Rainsville, AL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,055/yr fall 46% 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 29.5x 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.

Ranked #1011 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Northeast Alabama Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $28,714 show a 68% jump from the $17,055 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.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
46
Score
47
High End
Earnings $17,055/yr (-46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$299K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.0x
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)
$9,960
Out-of-state: $17,580
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,714
68% 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

Medical Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northeast Alabama Community College

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 Northeast Alabama Community College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Medical Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Northeast Alabama Community College a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Northeast Alabama Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
Beyond Northeast Alabama 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.
How sensitive is Medical Assisting to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Medical Assisting are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Will Medical Assisting graduates from Northeast Alabama Community College find jobs?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Northeast Alabama 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 →