Medical Assisting at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens

Athens, TN · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 365 students in Athens, TN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,242 place Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #771 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $24,242/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$24K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$22,000
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens trails the majority of Medical Assisting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can you still earn well with Medical Assisting from Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?
Starting salary is one data point. If Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens'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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens?
Yes — 11 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Medical Assisting career paths, including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens.
How many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Medical Assisting offers a very large employment pool. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →