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Health Professions · Medical Assisting Rank #12 of 12

Medical Assistingat Caribbean University-Ponce

Graduates earn $7,046/yr in their first year — about 79.0% below the national Medical Assisting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $339K; scenarios range from $342K to $338K depending on AI disruption.

Ponce, PR Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
27
Optimistic
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$7,046
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$339K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
32% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Caribbean University-Ponce

The distinct earnings profile for graduates from this program reflects the unique economic landscape of Puerto Rico, where allied health wages, particularly for roles like medical assistants, are often significantly lower than mainland U.S. averages. Your initial career path will likely involve supporting roles in local clinics, private physician offices, or community health centers in Ponce and surrounding areas, handling administrative tasks and basic clinical duties. While critical to healthcare operations, these positions typically offer modest compensation, explaining the overall financial outcomes.

Be aware that the higher-paying career paths listed, such as occupational therapy assistants or surgical technologists, usually demand additional specialized certifications or associate's degrees beyond a general medical assisting program. If those roles are your goal, you'll need to strategically plan for further education. To maximize your potential from this program, focus on gaining hands-on experience and networking within the local healthcare community, understanding that upward mobility often requires further investment in specialized training.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$342K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$339K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$338K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple14.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Caribbean University-Ponce's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Medical Assisting graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
2
Occupational therapy assistants
+19.2% 10-yr growth · 7,200 openings/yr
$68,340/yr
Low
3
Physical therapist assistants
+22.0% 10-yr growth · 19,800 openings/yr
$65,510/yr
Low
4
Surgical technologists
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$62,830/yr
Low
5
Health technologists and technicians, all other
+5.2% 10-yr growth · 13,600 openings/yr
$48,790/yr
High
6
Healthcare support workers, all other
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 14,400 openings/yr
$46,050/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Medical Assisting

How Caribbean University-Ponce stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Widener University
PA · Private nonprofit
55
DW Score
$71K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
AZ · Private for-profit
54
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
Top score
Ohio State University-Lima Campus
OH · Public
62
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
18.0x
ROI
Ohio State University-Main Campus
OH · Public
59
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
12.6x
ROI
University of Connecticut
CT · Public
51
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
9.2x
ROI
Also at Caribbean University-Ponce

Other top programs at Caribbean University-Ponce

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Caribbean University-Ponce, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Medical Assisting offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Medical Assisting trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Medical Assisting at Caribbean University-Ponce

What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Caribbean University-Ponce?

At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Medical Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Medical Assisting degree from Caribbean University-Ponce?

At $7,125 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Caribbean University-Ponce a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Caribbean University-Ponce's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.