Health and Medical Administrative Services at Career Technical Institute

Career Technical Institute's earnings numbers sit $7,500 below the national median for health administration certificates, placing graduates in just the 5th percentile nationally. However, DC's healthcare job market tells a more complex story—this is actually the only program of its kind in the district, making it simultaneously the median performer and a potential concern for a field that should offer better entry points into healthcare careers.

The debt load of $9,500 is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5, but graduates are earning just over $20,000 in their first year—barely above minimum wage in DC. Even after four years, earnings only reach $22,055. For perspective, medical administrative roles nationally pay about 37% more. The program serves predominantly Pell-eligible students (81%), who may have limited options, but they're entering a field where most programs deliver significantly better outcomes.

The fundamental issue here isn't the debt—it's that healthcare administration certificates elsewhere provide much stronger earning potential. If your child is committed to staying in DC and needs this specific credential quickly, the low debt offers some protection. But if relocation is possible, programs in nearby states could deliver the same credential with substantially higher earnings. For a field with strong job growth, these outcomes suggest looking beyond DC's borders.