Health and Medical Administrative Services at Carrington College-Tucson

Carrington College-Tucson sits in an awkward middle ground for medical administrative training in Arizona. While the program edges above the national median by about $1,300 in first-year earnings, it trails the state's typical graduate by nearly $700—landing squarely at the 40th percentile among Arizona's 32 competing programs. For students staying in-state, this matters: nearby community colleges like Phoenix College and GateWay produce graduates earning $33,000-$34,000, roughly $4,500 more annually. That gap persists even as Carrington grads see decent 13% earnings growth over four years.

The debt picture adds another wrinkle. At $9,500, borrowers face manageable monthly payments, but they're paying more than 75% of programs nationally charge while earning less than most Arizona alternatives. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 isn't alarming, yet it's higher than what students at Phoenix College or GateWay face—those schools combine lower costs with better earnings outcomes. With 61% of Carrington students receiving Pell grants, many come from families where every dollar counts.

For Arizona families, this program works if geographic constraints or admission barriers rule out community colleges. But if your child can access Phoenix College or GateWay, those programs deliver materially better value. The certificate will lead to employment—these administrative roles exist everywhere—but Carrington charges more while preparing students for the lower end of the state's wage distribution.