Medical Assisting at William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

enrolling 8,815 students in Palatine, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,111 at William Rainey Harper College come in 14% above the national median of $31,622 for Medical Assisting programs.

The 163.0x 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 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Medical Assisting graduates.

Ranked #24 out of 1,065 programs, William Rainey Harper College's Medical Assisting program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $36,111 to $65,904 over five years (83% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $36,111/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$634K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
165.8x
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)
$3,822
Out-of-state: $11,802
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,904
83% 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 William Rainey Harper College and 1064 other schools.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at William Rainey Harper College

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 75/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at William Rainey Harper College?
At 75/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What makes William Rainey Harper College's Medical Assisting program stand out?
Among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, William Rainey Harper College's #24 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of William Rainey Harper College?
Beyond William Rainey Harper College'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.
How sensitive is Medical Assisting to AI disruption?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Medical Assisting careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
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. William Rainey Harper College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →