Medical Assisting at Virginia Highlands Community College

Abingdon, VA · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,335 students in Abingdon, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,314/yr fall 29% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 48.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Medical Assisting graduates.

At #604 out of 1,065 programs, Virginia Highlands Community College's financial outcomes for Medical Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 11 registered apprenticeships mapped to Medical Assisting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
54
High End
Earnings $22,314/yr (-29% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$233K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
48.0x
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)
$4,863
Out-of-state: $10,866

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 Virginia Highlands Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Highlands Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
This program scores 53/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Medical Assisting programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Is Virginia Highlands Community College a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia Highlands Community College'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?
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 Virginia Highlands Community College.
How many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
At 252,100 annual openings, Medical Assisting has a very large employment base. Virginia Highlands Community College 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 →