Health and Medical Administrative Services at CDE Career Institute

Starting at just $22,125 feels discouraging, but CDE Career Institute graduates see their earnings jump 37% to over $30,000 by year four—respectable growth for a certificate program. The catch? That initial year lands in the bottom 12th percentile nationally and 25th percentile within Pennsylvania, where the typical medical admin certificate holder earns $28,145 right away. Top Pennsylvania programs like Montgomery County Community College deliver starting earnings of $38,000, nearly double what CDE grads initially make.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $9,500, students borrow significantly less than Pennsylvania's typical $14,426 for this credential, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means most graduates could reasonably pay this back even on their first-year salary. Given that 95% of students receive Pell grants, this lower debt load matters considerably for students from limited financial backgrounds.

The core question is whether starting at $22,000 and climbing to $30,000 beats entering the workforce immediately without the credential. That's a family decision based on current earning power and local opportunities. For students needing formal certification to enter healthcare administration and who can't access the stronger Pennsylvania programs nearby, the relatively modest debt makes this tolerable—but shopping around among Pennsylvania's 47 options first makes sense.