Medical Assisting at Summit College

San Bernardino, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,210 students in San Bernardino, CA.

Program Analysis

At $23,181 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from Summit 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 32% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $8,405 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #854 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Summit College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $23,181 to $33,087 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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 $23,181/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$357K
9.3% 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
$8,405
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,087
43% 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 Summit 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 Summit College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Summit College's Medical Assisting program score?
At 50/100, 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.
Why are Medical Assisting earnings lower at Summit College?
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.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Summit College?
If Summit College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 11 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the AI uncertainty for Medical Assisting careers?
Our model shows a 32% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Medical Assisting careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Summit College?
The very large job market (252,100 annual openings) works in favor of Medical Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →