Analysis
Borrowing nearly $40,000 to earn roughly the same amount in your first year out sets up an uncomfortable financial reality—particularly when peer programs in Michigan typically carry about $10,000 less debt. Based on comparable health administration programs across the state, graduates earn around $41,400 initially, placing Adrian near the middle of Michigan schools but meaningfully below what students achieve at programs like Davenport ($52,600) or Ferris State ($44,400). That earnings gap matters when you're facing loan payments on nearly $40,000.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 suggests loan payments will consume a significant portion of take-home pay in those critical early career years. Similar programs statewide carry median debt closer to $30,000, which would make the same career path considerably more manageable financially. Healthcare administration can be a stable field with room for advancement, but starting with an extra $10,000 in loans means delaying other financial milestones—whether that's moving out, buying a car, or simply building an emergency fund.
If your child is set on this field, compare actual financial aid packages from Adrian against other Michigan programs with stronger reported outcomes. The difference between graduating with $30,000 versus $40,000 in debt isn't trivial when first-year salaries cluster so tightly around $41,000-44,000 across the state.
Where Adrian College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (20 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,556 | $41,428* | — | $39,444* | — | |
| $23,324 | $52,603* | $47,057 | $50,407* | 0.96 | |
| $13,630 | $44,371* | $51,123 | $30,995* | 0.70 | |
| $14,190 | $44,167* | $59,162 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $15,510 | $43,507* | $47,243 | $31,000* | 0.71 | |
| $14,014 | $41,428* | $44,638 | $33,125* | 0.80 | |
| National Median | — | $44,345* | — | $30,998* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates
Information Security Analysts
Medical and Health Services Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Computer Programmers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Adrian College, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.