Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Johnstown, PA · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 719 students in Johnstown, PA.

Program Analysis

At $24,885 per year, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 18.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #997 ranking among 1,065 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs places Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $24,885 to $25,904 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 11 apprenticeship pathways connected to Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $24,885/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$260K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
18.6x
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)
$13,980
Out-of-state: $26,160
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$25,904
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 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 →

About Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines of patient care as a medical assistant in a busy clinic or doctor’s office. You’ll be the one taking vitals, drawing blood samples, and prepping exam rooms—the essential link between patients and physicians. As you build experience, you can specialize. You might pursue a high-growth path as a physical therapist assistant, actively helping patients recover from injury, or become an occupational therapy assistant, guiding them to regain daily living skills. This is hands-on, patient-facing work that requires a human touch and simply can’t be done remotely or automated. While entry-level roles provide a solid starting salary, experienced specialists in fields like therapy assistance often earn significantly more. The long-term demand is strong across the board, with some specialties projected to grow over 20%, offering a stable and rewarding career ladder from entry-level practitioner to seasoned expert.

Read the full Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Overview

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pennsylvania Highlands 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 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services earnings lower at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services connects to 11 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →