Medical Assisting at Valley College-Beckley

Beckley, WV · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 181 students in Beckley, WV.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $19,046/yr fall 40% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

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.

At $9,500 in median debt against $19,046 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #969 ranking among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs places Valley College-Beckley in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $19,046 to $19,861 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.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $19,046/yr (-40% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$200K
1.1% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$19,861
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

Medical Assisting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Valley College-Beckley's Medical Assisting program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Medical Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Medical Assisting earnings lower at Valley College-Beckley?
Starting salary is one data point. If Valley College-Beckley's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Valley College-Beckley?
Beyond Valley College-Beckley'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.
Will Medical Assisting graduates from Valley College-Beckley find jobs?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Valley College-Beckley graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →