Health and Medical Administrative Services at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport

At just under $21,000 in first-year earnings, Blue Cliff College-Gulfport's health administration certificate falls about $4,000 short of Mississippi's median for this program—landing in the 25th percentile statewide. That gap matters more than it might appear: when nearby programs like Concorde Career College-Southaven and Delta Technical College deliver 20% higher earnings, families should ask why. The $17,375 debt load compounds the concern. While lower than many certificate programs nationally, it's nearly double Mississippi's typical debt for this credential and translates to a worrying 83% of first-year earnings.

The fundamental challenge here is that the debt burden is simply too heavy relative to what graduates actually earn. With 73% of students receiving Pell grants, most families at Blue Cliff are already stretching financially. Taking on substantial debt for earnings that rank in just the 5th percentile nationally creates real financial pressure. Compare this to in-state alternatives: spending less and earning $4,000 more annually makes a meaningful difference when you're living on $21,000.

If your child is set on healthcare administration in Mississippi, spend time understanding why this program underperforms its peers. The gap isn't massive, but when certificates are meant to be affordable paths to employment, both the below-average earnings and above-average debt work against that purpose.