Health and Medical Administrative Services at Carrington College-Spokane

Carrington College-Spokane delivers something unusual for healthcare administration training: first-year earnings of $34,016 that significantly outpace both the national median ($27,783) and rank in the 95th percentile nationally. However, Washington state context tells a more complicated story—while these earnings beat the state median by about $2,600, they place in just the 60th percentile among Washington programs. Local competitors like Perry Technical Institute ($37,112) and Spokane Community College ($32,404) produce stronger outcomes in the same city.

The debt load of $10,364 is manageable at 0.30 times first-year earnings, and half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting this program serves working-class families effectively. The concern is the earnings trajectory: by year four, median pay actually dips to $33,365, suggesting limited career progression in medical office roles. This isn't necessarily surprising—administrative positions often hit salary ceilings quickly—but families should understand they're investing in immediate employability rather than long-term growth.

For parents in Spokane, this program offers a legitimate path to quick employment in healthcare administration, particularly if their child needs to enter the workforce rapidly. But if they have time and flexibility, the nearby community college options deliver comparable or better outcomes at likely lower cost, making them worth serious consideration first.