Health and Medical Administrative Services at Arizona College-Mesa

Arizona College-Mesa's health administration certificate graduates start above both national and state medians, but the concerning trend is where they end up. First-year earnings of $30,574 beat the national median by nearly $3,000 and place this program in the 75th percentile nationally. However, by year four, earnings actually drop to $29,310—a 4% decline when most programs see growth.

Within Arizona, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, with several community colleges like Phoenix College and GateWay producing graduates who earn $3,000-$4,000 more annually. The debt load of $10,643 is manageable, representing just 4 months of first-year income, and 84% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting this program serves students who need affordable credentials. But "affordable" matters most when it leads somewhere.

That backward earnings trajectory should prompt serious questions about job advancement potential. Are graduates hitting a ceiling quickly? Are they in positions that don't reward experience? For a parent weighing options, Phoenix College or GateWay appear to offer better long-term positioning at similar or lower debt levels. If your student is specifically drawn to Arizona College's program structure or support services, the initial outcomes are solid—just recognize this certificate may not be a strong platform for wage growth.