Health and Medical Administrative Services at Delta College of Arts & Technology-Lafayette Campus

Delta College's Lafayette campus offers this medical administrative certificate at a solid value point for Louisiana students, though the absolute earnings lag behind both national figures and the state's top programs. At $23,288 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $4,500 less than the national median but actually outpace the Louisiana median of $22,584—landing this program at the 60th percentile statewide. Still, nearby options like Delgado Community College start graduates $5,000 higher.

The debt load tells a more compelling story. At $9,217, students borrow roughly $1,000 less than typical for this credential, creating a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that can be cleared relatively quickly. For a campus serving predominantly Pell Grant recipients (67%), keeping debt low matters enormously. Earnings do grow 9% by year four, reaching $25,462, which helps but doesn't fundamentally change the financial picture.

For families considering this program, the calculation depends on alternatives. If your student needs to stay local and can't access the higher-earning programs in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, this represents a reasonable path into healthcare administration with minimal debt. But if commuting to one of Louisiana's top five programs is feasible, the $3,000-5,000 earnings premium would justify the extra effort. The low debt makes this a relatively safe choice—just not necessarily the most lucrative one available in the state.