Health and Medical Administrative Services at Centura College-Virginia Beach

Centura College-Virginia Beach graduates leave with roughly $23,000 in debt to earn about $24,000—a near 1:1 ratio that means many graduates will spend years working primarily to pay down educational loans. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Virginia schools, that's actually highlighting a broader problem: Virginia's median for this field is significantly below the national median of $31,719. Being middle-of-the-pack in a weak state market doesn't translate to financial security.

The earnings trajectory shows modest growth to $26,077 by year four, but that's still roughly $5,600 below the national median for first-year graduates in this field. Meanwhile, nearby Tidewater Community College—a public institution—produces graduates earning $29,290, or about $5,000 more annually than Centura's, likely with considerably less debt. With 71% of Centura students receiving Pell grants, this program is serving a vulnerable population that particularly needs strong earnings outcomes to justify the debt load.

The fundamental problem is spending $23,000 to access a job market that pays entry-level administrative wages. Medical administrative roles exist at community colleges with lower price tags and better regional employment connections. Unless your child has compelling reasons to choose Centura specifically, the combination of below-market earnings and significant debt creates an uphill financial recovery that could take a decade or more.