Medical Assisting at South College

Knoxville, TN · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

serving 6,323 students in Knoxville, TN.

Program Analysis

South College's Medical Assisting program produces graduates earning $28,606/yr — within striking distance of the $31,622 national average for this trade.

With a 16.7x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $28,606 in annual earnings.

A #834 ranking among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs places South College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $28,606/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$299K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
16.7x
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
$17,935
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.0 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 South College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at South College?
A score of 50/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but South College trails the majority of Medical Assisting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing South College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
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 →