Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,682
87th percentile (60th in CA)
Median Debt
$9,500
8% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.29
Manageable
Sample Size
237
Adequate data

Analysis

American Career College-Anaheim punches above its weight nationally—graduates earn $32,682 right out of the gate, putting them in the 87th percentile compared to similar programs nationwide. That's nearly $5,000 more than the typical health administration certificate program produces. The $9,500 in debt is manageable at roughly 3.5 months of earnings, and 60% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program successfully serves students who need it most.

The California picture adds nuance. At the 60th percentile statewide, this program sits comfortably above the state median of $26,827 but trails the top performers by considerable margins—Santa Barbara City College graduates, for instance, earn $47,000. Still, American Career College matches its Los Angeles campus and competes well with other private career colleges in the state. The real concern is earnings flatness: graduates make essentially the same $32,500 whether they're one year or four years into their careers, suggesting limited advancement without additional credentials.

For families considering this program, it's a solid entry point into healthcare administration with minimal debt risk. Your child will likely earn more than peers from most certificate programs nationwide, though advancement may require moving into a different role or pursuing further education. Given the strong Pell grant support and low debt burden, this works particularly well for students who need to start earning quickly while keeping educational costs contained.

Where American Career College-Anaheim Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services certificate's programs nationally

American Career College-AnaheimOther health and medical administrative services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How American Career College-Anaheim graduates compare to all programs nationally

American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn $33k, placing them in the 87th percentile of all health and medical administrative services certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (155 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
American Career College-Anaheim$32,682$32,524$9,5000.29
Santa Barbara City College$47,046—$18,7280.40
North-West College-Van Nuys$40,938$26,924$9,5000.23
Unitek College$34,441—$9,5000.28
American Career College-Los Angeles$32,682$32,524$9,5000.29
North-West College-West Covina$32,292$27,617$9,5000.29
National Median$27,783—$10,3720.37

Other Health and Medical Administrative Services Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara
$1,234$47,046$18,728
North-West College-Van Nuys
Van Nuys
—$40,938$9,500
Unitek College
Fremont
—$34,441$9,500
American Career College-Los Angeles
Los Angeles
—$32,682$9,500
North-West College-West Covina
West Covina
—$32,292$9,500

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 American Career College-Anaheim, approximately 60% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 237 graduates with reported earnings and 262 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.