Medical Assisting at Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, WI · Public · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 3,479 students in Wausau, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,154/yr, roughly in line with the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 86.8x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $31,154 far exceeding the $5,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #161 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 $33,277 are relatively flat compared to the $31,154 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.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $31,154/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$336K
1.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
87.0x
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)
$3,861
Out-of-state: $5,615
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,250
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,277
7% 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 Northcentral 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

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northcentral Technical 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 Northcentral Technical College's Medical Assisting program score?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Medical Assisting field.
How affordable is Medical Assisting at Northcentral Technical College?
Median debt of just $5,250 against $31,154/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Northcentral Technical College rank so high for Medical Assisting?
Among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Northcentral Technical College's #161 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing Northcentral Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
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. Northcentral Technical 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 →