Medical Assisting at Valley College of Medical Careers

West Hills, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 57 students in West Hills, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,214 place Valley College of Medical Careers 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 30% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $26,214 far exceeding the $8,109 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #711 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Valley College of Medical Careers falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $26,214 to $36,512 over five years — a 39% 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.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $26,214/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$391K
8.6% 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
$8,109
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,512
39% 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

See the full career breakdown for Medical Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Valley College of Medical Careers and 1064 other schools.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Valley College of Medical Careers?
At 52/100, the score looks reasonable — but Medical Assisting is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Is Valley College of Medical Careers a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Valley College of Medical Careers's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
Beyond Valley College of Medical Careers'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.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Valley College of Medical Careers?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Valley College of Medical Careers graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →