Health and Medical Administrative Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North

The concerning reality here is that graduates see their earnings decline 13% between year one and year four—from $28,135 to $24,539. While the initial salary matches New York's median for this certificate, that backward trajectory suggests either limited advancement opportunities or graduates moving into lower-paying roles over time. With robust data from 100+ graduates, this pattern isn't a statistical fluke.

The debt picture offers a partial offset. At $16,467, borrowing sits below both the national and state averages for similar programs, with a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. That's manageable if earnings held steady, but becomes less attractive when your child's salary shrinks rather than grows. Compare this to Hunter Business School grads starting at $32,968—nearly $5,000 more annually—and the value gap becomes harder to justify.

For families weighing this program, understand what you're buying: immediate employment in healthcare administration, but potentially at the cost of career momentum. The 65% Pell Grant rate indicates Bryant & Stratton serves many students with limited alternatives, and this certificate does provide a workforce entry point. However, if your child can access one of the stronger NY programs—or invest in additional education later—those paths show clearer earnings growth. This certificate gets you in the door, but doesn't appear to open many windows beyond that.