Median Earnings (1yr)
$25,727
33rd percentile (40th in CA)
Median Debt
$5,900
43% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.23
Manageable
Sample Size
116
Adequate data

Analysis

At $5,900, CET-San Jose keeps debt impressively low—students here graduate with about half the debt of typical California medical admin programs. That's the good news, and for students who absolutely need to minimize borrowing, it matters. But the earnings tell a tougher story: graduates earn around $25,700, placing this program in the 40th percentile statewide. More concerning, earnings actually slip slightly over the first four years rather than growing.

The gap between CET-San Jose and stronger California programs is substantial. Top performers like Santa Barbara City College produce graduates earning $47,000—nearly double what CET students make. Even mid-tier options consistently deliver $10,000+ more in annual earnings. Over a career, that difference dwarfs the debt savings. With 155 programs across California, parents have plenty of alternatives that deliver stronger returns without dramatically higher debt.

The low debt-to-earnings ratio (0.23) means graduates won't struggle with payments, but this program positions students at the lower end of an already modest-paying field. For families prioritizing immediate affordability above all else, CET delivers accessibility. But if the goal is maximizing career earnings potential, explore other California medical admin programs—particularly community colleges—that demonstrate both manageable debt and substantially higher graduate outcomes.

Where CET-San Jose Stands

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

CET-San JoseOther health and medical administrative services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How CET-San Jose graduates compare to all programs nationally

CET-San Jose graduates earn $26k, placing them in the 33th percentile of all health and medical administrative services certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (155 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
CET-San Jose$25,727$25,422$5,9000.23
Santa Barbara City College$47,046—$18,7280.40
North-West College-Van Nuys$40,938$26,924$9,5000.23
Unitek College$34,441—$9,5000.28
American Career College-Anaheim$32,682$32,524$9,5000.29
American Career College-Los Angeles$32,682$32,524$9,5000.29
National Median$27,783—$10,3720.37

Other Health and Medical Administrative Services Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara
$1,234$47,046$18,728
North-West College-Van Nuys
Van Nuys
—$40,938$9,500
Unitek College
Fremont
—$34,441$9,500
American Career College-Anaheim
Anaheim
—$32,682$9,500
American Career College-Los Angeles
Los Angeles
—$32,682$9,500

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 CET-San Jose, approximately 37% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 116 graduates with reported earnings and 78 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.