Medical Assisting at Northeast Iowa Community College

Calmar, IA · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,736 students in Calmar, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,840 track close to the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 53.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Medical Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $10,917 in median debt against $32,840 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Northeast Iowa Community College ranks #250 among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $32,840 to $34,805 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.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
63
Score
63
High End
Earnings $32,840/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$351K
1.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.2x
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)
$6,600
Out-of-state: $7,470
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,917
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,805
6% 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

See the full career breakdown for Medical Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northeast Iowa Community College and 1064 other schools.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northeast Iowa Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northeast Iowa Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
At 63/100, Northeast Iowa Community College's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Why does Northeast Iowa Community College rank so high for Medical Assisting?
Among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Northeast Iowa Community College's #250 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
If Northeast Iowa Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 11 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Northeast Iowa 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 →