Health and Medical Administrative Services at Carrington College-Stockton

Carrington College-Stockton's medical administrative certificate outperforms most competitors in California, placing graduates in the 60th percentile for earnings statewide—well above the state median of $26,827. Starting at $30,476 and climbing to $35,863 by year four, these graduates earn about $9,000 more annually than the typical California program graduate four years out. The $9,500 in debt translates to just 31% of first-year earnings, a manageable load that most graduates could realistically pay down within two years of full-time work.

The catch is perspective: while this program beats most California options, it still lags far behind the state's top performers. Santa Barbara City College graduates earn $47,000, and several other programs crack $40,000. That said, those top programs may have different admission requirements or longer completion times. For families weighing immediate workforce entry against cost, Carrington's combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates a straightforward path into healthcare administration.

With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves working-class families looking for practical credentials. The robust 100+ graduate sample size confirms these aren't outlier results—this is consistent performance. If your child wants quick entry into medical office work without gambling on outsized earnings, the numbers support this choice as a low-risk investment.