Medical Assisting at ATA College

El Cajon, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 106 in El Cajon, CA.

Program Analysis

At $23,338 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from ATA College earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

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 39% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $5,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #868 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, ATA College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $35,962 show a 54% jump from the $23,338 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.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $23,338/yr (-26% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$398K
11.4% 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
$5,500
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,962
54% 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

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

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at ATA College?
A score of 50/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but ATA College trails the majority of Medical Assisting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the typical debt for Medical Assisting graduates from ATA College?
At $5,500 in median debt, Medical Assisting graduates from ATA College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is ATA College a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at ATA College?
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 ATA College.
How could AI change the job market for Medical Assisting graduates?
The 39% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Medical Assisting are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
How many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For ATA College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →