Health and Medical Administrative Services at Brookline College-Albuquerque

Brookline College-Albuquerque's health administration certificate ranks impressively at the national level—89th percentile—but that headline number masks a troubling pattern. Graduates earn $32,951 in their first year, well above the national median of $27,783, yet by year four their earnings have dropped to $30,110. That's a 9% decline during a period when most workers see wage growth. Within New Mexico, this program sits at the 60th percentile, trailing the state median by nearly $4,000 initially and falling further behind over time.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $11,650, borrowers face manageable payments relative to first-year earnings (a 0.35 ratio is reasonable for certificate programs). This serves a heavily Pell-eligible student body—52% receive federal grants—and the program does deliver entry to healthcare administration jobs. However, the backward earnings trajectory suggests graduates may struggle to advance or find themselves in roles with limited mobility. Other Albuquerque programs show flatter earning patterns, raising questions about what's different here.

For families weighing this option, the low debt makes it less risky than many alternatives, but the earnings decline is unusual enough to warrant investigation. What explains the drop-off—do graduates change careers, or is this the natural arc of entry-level medical admin roles at this institution? The strong national ranking sounds impressive, but it's based on comparison to a program type with generally modest outcomes.