Health and Medical Administrative Services at Empire College

Empire College's health administration certificate sits solidly in the middle of California's market—earning above the state median ($26,827) and ranking in the 60th percentile among 155 programs. The $27,754 first-year earnings nearly match the national average, though they're dramatically below what top California programs achieve. Santa Barbara City College grads, for instance, earn $47,046—almost 70% more. The $12,442 debt load is manageable, creating a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio that parents can live with, though it's higher than both state and national medians for this credential.

The real limitation here isn't the numbers—it's what they represent. Medical administrative roles typically don't see dramatic salary growth, so that $27,754 figure reflects the earning ceiling more than a starting point. For families in the Santa Rosa area seeking an affordable entry into healthcare administration, this program delivers predictable outcomes at reasonable cost. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year.

The straightforward value proposition: your child will likely find administrative work in healthcare and carry modest debt doing so. If location flexibility exists, exploring higher-performing California programs—particularly community colleges like Santa Barbara—could yield significantly better returns for similar investment.