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Medical Assisting at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Johnstown, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 719 students in Johnstown, PA.

Program Analysis

At $24,885 per year, Medical Assisting 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 Medical Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #997 ranking among 1,065 Medical Assisting 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 Medical Assisting 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 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

View all 1065 schools offering Medical Assisting →

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Widener University ($61,990) Carrington College-Sacramento ($61,881) Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus ($61,881) Loma Linda University ($60,043) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($59,559) Institute of Technology ($59,548) Dalton State College ($58,734) Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ($58,718)

Other Majors at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Electrical Installation ($95,230) Criminal Justice ($31,499) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($24,728) Business ($23,730)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Medical Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pennsylvania Highlands Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Medical Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Medical Assisting 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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
Beyond Pennsylvania Highlands 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 many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
The career paths mapped to Medical Assisting have roughly 252,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →