Medical Assisting at Elgin Community College

Elgin, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a mid-sized student body of 6,463 in Elgin, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,319 put Elgin Community College's Medical Assisting program 46% above the national median of $31,622 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 87.6x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At #17 of 1,065 nationally, this is a top-5% Medical Assisting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $54,545 are relatively flat compared to the $46,319 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
76
Score
76
High End
Earnings $46,319/yr (46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$561K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.1x
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)
$6,360
Out-of-state: $19,032
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,545
18% 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

Other Majors at Elgin Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Elgin Community College's Medical Assisting program score?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Medical Assisting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What makes Elgin Community College's Medical Assisting program stand out?
The #17 ranking out of 1,065 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Elgin Community College?
Beyond Elgin Community 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.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
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 →