Health and Medical Administrative Services at Delgado Community College

Delgado's health administration program outperforms both Louisiana and national benchmarks, with graduates earning $37,925 four years out—37% above the state median and 20% above the national average. That's notable in a state where most health administration programs cluster in the mid-$20,000s. The program ranks at the 60th percentile both nationally and within Louisiana, meaning it beats roughly 6 out of 10 comparable programs on earnings.

The debt picture requires scrutiny. At $32,379, graduates carry Louisiana's typical debt load for this field but well above the national norm of $23,000. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.96 means students owe less than one year's starting salary—a manageable level that improves as earnings grow 13% by year four. Given that 62% of Delgado students receive Pell grants, many are financing their entire education through loans, which explains the higher debt despite community college tuition.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so don't treat them as gospel. Still, if your child can keep borrowing closer to $25,000 through careful budgeting or part-time work, this program offers solid preparation for Louisiana's healthcare administrative market at a fraction of four-year college costs.