Health and Medical Administrative Services at American Career College-Ontario

American Career College-Ontario's health administration certificate sits right in the middle of the pack—performing slightly above the California median but well below what top programs achieve. Starting at $28,575, graduates earn about $1,700 more than the typical California certificate holder in this field, placing them in the 60th percentile statewide. However, that same salary is $14,000 less than what Santa Barbara City College graduates earn, showing there's considerable variation in outcomes for this credential.

The $9,500 in debt is manageable at just one-third of first-year earnings, which is actually lower than what most programs in this field require. The 21% earnings bump to $34,448 by year four suggests meaningful career progression, though you're still earning about $13,000 less than Unitek College graduates at that point. With 61% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a predominantly working-class population seeking quick workforce entry.

For parents whose child needs to start earning quickly with minimal debt, this certificate delivers on that goal—you're looking at reasonable borrowing levels and immediate employability. But if your child can access programs like Santa Barbara City College or even the Anaheim campus of this same institution (where graduates earn $4,000 more annually), those options would provide significantly better long-term earning potential for similar training.