Health and Medical Administrative Services at American InterContinental University System

The $52,813 debt load here stands out as alarmingly high—95% of similar programs nationwide carry less debt, while earning graduates only make $40,754 in their first year. That means you're looking at debt exceeding annual income by 30%, a threshold that typically signals trouble with loan repayment. Among Arizona's 11 healthcare administration programs, this one ranks near the bottom for earnings (40th percentile) while carrying $14,000 more debt than the state median. Compare this to Grand Canyon University down the road, where graduates earn $6,000 more annually with substantially less debt.

The 73% Pell Grant rate indicates this program primarily serves financially vulnerable students, which makes the debt-to-earnings mismatch particularly concerning. Healthcare administration is a steady field with decent job prospects, but at these numbers, monthly loan payments would consume roughly 15% of gross income under standard repayment plans—tight even for someone living frugally. The program does graduate 100+ students annually with consistent data, so these aren't flukes.

For families considering this investment: Arizona State's Digital Immersion program produces similar first-year earnings with far better debt outcomes, while Pima Medical Institute graduates start $13,000 higher. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances making AIU the only option, the debt burden here appears difficult to justify when stronger alternatives exist in-state.