Health and Medical Administrative Services at Ashford University

Ashford University's Health and Medical Administrative Services program delivers earnings that start reasonably strong but decline significantly over time—a troubling pattern that raises questions about career advancement prospects. While graduates earn $45,459 in their first year (placing them in the 60th percentile among California programs), earnings drop 11% to just $40,572 by year four, suggesting limited growth opportunities in the field or potential career plateauing.

The debt picture adds another layer of concern. At $44,878, student debt is substantially higher than both the national median ($30,998) and especially the California median ($17,275) for this program. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of nearly 1:1, meaning graduates carry almost a full year's salary in debt. When compared to top California programs like National University, where graduates earn $64,382, Ashford's value proposition becomes questionable.

For parents considering this program, the combination of declining earnings and above-average debt creates financial headwinds that could impact your child's economic mobility for years. The robust sample size makes these patterns reliable, not statistical noise. Unless your child has compelling reasons to choose Ashford specifically, exploring California State University options or other programs with stronger debt-to-earnings profiles would likely provide better long-term financial outcomes.