Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at CDE Career Institute

Median Earnings (1yr)

$22,125

12th percentile

25th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$9,500

8% below national median

Analysis

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.

Where CDE Career Institute Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How CDE Career Institute graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
CDE Career Institute	$22,125	$30,287	+37%
Community College of Allegheny County	$28,917	$36,940	+28%
Pittsburgh Technical College	$35,108	$36,000	+3%
Montgomery County Community College	$38,240	$32,322	-15%
YTI Career Institute-York	$32,861	$30,408	-7%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
CDE Career InstituteTannersville	—	$22,125	$30,287	$9,500	0.43
Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell	$6,270	$38,240	$32,322	$14,625	0.38
Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale	$18,980	$35,108	$36,000	$14,426	0.41
YTI Career Institute-YorkYork	—	$32,861	$30,408	$14,417	0.44
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh	$4,842	$28,917	$36,940	$10,986	0.38
All-State Career SchoolEssington	—	$28,893	$26,577	—	—
National Median	—	$27,783	—	$10,372	0.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

$103,960/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CDE Career Institute, approximately 95% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.