Medical Assisting at Southwest Virginia Community College

Cedar Bluff, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 1,600 students in Cedar Bluff, VA.

Program Analysis

At $32,327/yr, Medical Assisting graduates from Southwest Virginia Community College land near the $31,622 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 47.9x 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 29% gap from the optimistic case.

At #321 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Southwest Virginia Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $32,327 to $44,459 over five years — a 38% 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.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
61
Score
62
High End
Earnings $32,327/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$475K
8.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
48.4x
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 (In-State)
$9,802
Out-of-state: $21,808
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,459
38% 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

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 Southwest Virginia 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 Southwest Virginia Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
At 61/100, Southwest Virginia Community College's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Southwest Virginia Community College?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing Southwest Virginia 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 Southwest Virginia Community College?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southwest Virginia Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in VA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →