Medical Assisting at Northwest Shoals Community College

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

a smaller institution with 1,924 students in Muscle Shoals, AL.

Program Analysis

At $22,798 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from Northwest Shoals Community College earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 23.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Medical Assisting graduates.

The $20,000 debt-to-$22,798 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #988 out of 1,065 programs, Northwest Shoals Community College's financial outcomes for Medical Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 11 registered apprenticeships mapped to Medical Assisting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $22,798/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$239K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.5x
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)
$10,142
Out-of-state: $17,762
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Explore what Medical Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1065 programs nationwide.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest Shoals 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

How does Northwest Shoals Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Medical Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Medical Assisting earnings lower at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Lower starting pay at Northwest Shoals 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?
If Northwest Shoals 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.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Northwest Shoals Community College?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Medical Assisting offers a very large employment pool. Northwest Shoals Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →