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Medical Assisting at Western Dakota Technical College

Rapid City, SD · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 733 students in Rapid City, SD.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,074/yr fall 30% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 47.6x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #603 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Western Dakota Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $35,826 show a 62% jump from the $22,074 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
53
Score
54
High End
Earnings $22,074/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$387K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
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
$8,008
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,826
62% 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

What can you do with a Medical Assisting credential from Western Dakota Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

View all 1065 schools offering Medical Assisting →

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Widener University ($61,990) Carrington College-Sacramento ($61,881) Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus ($61,881) Loma Linda University ($60,043) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($59,559) Institute of Technology ($59,548) Dalton State College ($58,734) Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ($58,718)

Other Majors at Western Dakota Technical College

Allied Health Professions ($54,737) Clinical Laboratory Science ($46,378) Precision Metalworking ($44,614) Practical Nursing ($43,884) Electrical Installation ($41,303) Computer Networking ($40,418) Vehicle Repair Technology ($38,031) Precision Metalworking ($37,717)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Medical Assisting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Western Dakota Technical College?
At 53/100, 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.
Can you still earn well with Medical Assisting from Western Dakota Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Western Dakota Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Western Dakota Technical College?
There are 11 registered apprenticeships connected to Medical Assisting occupations, such as Ambulance Attendant (Emt) and Health Care Sanitary Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How sensitive is Medical Assisting to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Western Dakota Technical College?
The career paths mapped to Medical Assisting have roughly 252,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →