Medical Assisting at South Louisiana Community College

Lafayette, LA · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 4,837 in Lafayette, LA.

Program Analysis

South Louisiana Community College's Medical Assisting graduates start at $22,058/yr, trailing the $31,622 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 66.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Medical Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Medical Assisting's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $22,058 in annual earnings.

At #416 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, South Louisiana Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $22,058 to $27,307 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
57
Score
58
High End
Earnings $22,058/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$284K
5.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
67.4x
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
$4,210
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,307
24% 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

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Louisiana Community 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 does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at South Louisiana Community College?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Medical Assisting field.
Is South Louisiana Community College a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of South Louisiana Community College?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing South Louisiana Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from South Louisiana Community College?
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 →