Health and Medical Administrative Services at Delaware County Community College

Delaware County Community College's graduates start strong—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th within Pennsylvania for this healthcare administration program—but something troubling happens between years one and four. That initial $43,435 salary drops to $31,750, a 27% decline that's unusual enough to warrant serious investigation before enrolling.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers might not reflect typical outcomes, but the pattern is worth understanding. Are graduates taking the first administrative job available, then switching to lower-paying positions? Are they reducing hours for family reasons? Whatever the cause, you're looking at debt of $17,493 against earnings that may not stabilize where they begin. That said, the debt load is more manageable than the $23,000 national median, and the program serves a significant Pell grant population effectively.

If your child pursues this path, have a frank conversation with the career services office about what happens to graduates between years one and four. The strong initial placement suggests solid industry connections, but you need to understand whether that earnings drop is a data quirk or a real pattern. Programs like Peirce College maintain higher earnings ($45,250), though likely at higher cost. The numbers here look promising on day one—just make sure you understand the full trajectory before committing.