Health and Medical Administrative Services at Centura College-Newport News

Centura College-Newport News graduates earn roughly $8,000 less than the national median for this program, but here's the surprising context: they're actually performing at the middle of the pack for Virginia. This program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it beats out nearly half of Virginia programs despite ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally. The issue isn't unique to Centura—it's that Virginia's healthcare administrative salaries lag significantly behind other states.

The $23,000 debt load equals roughly one year's starting salary, which is manageable if you're committed to staying in this field. Earnings do grow about 9% over four years to $26,077, suggesting some career progression. However, you'll notice that even the top-performing Virginia programs like Bryant & Stratton ($30,013) and Tidewater Community College ($29,290) still fall short of the national median. The 80% Pell Grant rate indicates Centura serves predominantly low-income students, for whom any credential leading to steady employment matters.

The real question is geographic: are you planning to stay in Virginia? If your child is willing to relocate to a higher-paying market after graduation, the debt might prove worthwhile. But if staying local is the plan, understand that healthcare administrative work in Virginia simply pays less than most other states. Community college alternatives like Tidewater offer comparable outcomes with potentially lower costs, which is worth exploring before committing to private college tuition.