Health and Medical Administrative Services at Carrington College-Mesa

Carrington College-Mesa graduates with this certificate land squarely in the middle of Arizona's crowded healthcare administration field—exactly at the state median initially, then drifting slightly below it by year four. The $29,076 starting salary beats the national average by $1,300, but trails the top Arizona programs by $5,000 or more. Phoenix College and the GateWay campuses consistently place graduates into higher-earning positions, suggesting location or employer networks matter significantly in this field.

The debt picture is actually the stronger part of this story. At $9,500, students borrow about $500 less than typical Arizona peers and nearly $900 less than the national median. That 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage payments while building experience. Given that 54% of students receive Pell grants, keeping debt under $10,000 matters—this isn't a program that saddles low-income students with crushing burdens.

The challenge is the earnings plateau. Growing from $29,000 to $32,700 over four years suggests limited advancement without additional credentials or job-hopping. For families prioritizing quick workforce entry and minimal debt, this certificate does what it promises. But if your student can access a community college program like Phoenix College—which costs similar amounts but delivers $5,500 more in starting earnings—that's likely the better path into Arizona's healthcare administration sector.