Health and Medical Administrative Services at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati State's health administration program commands a premium price compared to most competitors, yet it delivers. Graduates earn $38,948 in their first year—placing them in the 88th percentile nationally and $7,200 above the typical program. That's impressive given this field often suffers from weak initial salaries. The $29,116 in median debt sits below the national average, creating a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio that most healthcare administration programs would envy.

The complication is twofold: First, while Cincinnati State outperforms nationally, it lands in the middle of Ohio's pack (60th percentile). Cuyahoga Community College graduates earn $3,000 more annually. Second, earnings actually decline to $36,881 by year four—a 5% drop that suggests graduates may be taking lower-paying positions or facing career plateaus earlier than expected. This reversal is unusual for healthcare administration roles, which typically see modest but steady growth.

For an anxious parent, the question is whether top-tier national performance justifies slightly higher debt when in-state alternatives deliver similar or better outcomes. If your child plans to stay in Cincinnati with strong local network connections, this program works. The debt is reasonable and starting salaries are solid. But if maximizing Ohio-specific value matters most, programs like Cuyahoga offer stronger returns without the earnings decline pattern.