Health and Medical Administrative Services at ATA Career Education

This certificate lands ATA Career Education graduates above Florida's median for health administration programs—$29,507 versus $27,665 statewide—but the numbers come with a significant warning flag. Over the first four years of a graduate's career, median earnings actually drop 14% to $25,497, an unusual trajectory in healthcare administration. Meanwhile, nearly identical programs at Florida's state colleges launch graduates into the mid-to-high $30,000s right away.

The debt picture offers one bright spot: at $20,145, it's roughly double the state median but still manageable at 68% of first-year earnings. With 92% of students receiving Pell grants, ATA serves a population that may have limited alternatives, and the relatively low debt burden means graduates aren't trapped by payments even as earnings decline.

The critical caveat is sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could easily shift with just a few data points. For parents of students who can access Florida's community colleges, those programs consistently deliver higher initial earnings with less debt. If ATA is the only accessible option due to scheduling or location, the debt load won't be crushing, but don't expect this credential to open doors that cheaper alternatives wouldn't.