Health and Medical Administrative Services at California Intercontinental University

A bachelor's degree costing nearly $50,000 to enter a field where first-year earnings hover around $44,000 creates an immediate financial hurdle. While California Intercontinental University serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (78%), the estimated debt load here—based on similar institutions nationally—sits well above the national median for health administration programs ($31,000). That gap matters when you're making roughly $44,000 your first year out, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0.

The single comparable program in South Dakota with reported data shows similar first-year earnings but even higher debt ($52,000), suggesting this may be a regional pattern rather than a school-specific issue. Nationally, health administration bachelor's programs produce a wide range of outcomes, with top-performing schools reaching $50,000+ in first-year earnings—though it's unclear whether those programs carry comparable debt loads or serve similar student populations.

The practical reality: you're looking at monthly loan payments that could consume 10-15% of take-home pay for a decade. For families already stretched financially, that's meaningful. The 78% Pell rate suggests most students here face that calculation. Before committing, ask the school directly about their graduates' actual outcomes and whether students typically need further credentials (like an MHA) to advance beyond entry-level positions—because that would mean more debt before the earnings justify the investment.