Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Ferris State University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$68,630

95th percentile

Median Debt

$27,024

161% above national median

Analysis

Ferris State's health administration certificate commands roughly 2.5 times the typical graduate debt for this program—but the extraordinary earnings outcome tells you why. At $68,630 just one year out, graduates earn more than double both the Michigan median ($24,779) and the national median ($27,783) for this credential. This places Ferris in the 95th percentile among all health administration certificate programs nationwide and across Michigan, where even the top-performing programs rarely crack $30,000 in first-year earnings.

The $27,024 in debt represents a different calculation than the typical community college certificate, but the 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio reveals strong financial logic: graduates earn back their total debt in under five months. Compare this to the state's median program, where the same debt payback would take nearly four months despite much lower borrowing. The higher cost appears tied to Ferris operating as a four-year institution rather than a community college, but the earnings premium more than justifies it.

For families weighing this investment, the numbers are remarkably straightforward. Your child would enter the healthcare administration field earning more than twice what peers from other Michigan programs make, with debt that's manageable given those earnings. This is one of those rare cases where paying more upfront delivers measurably better career outcomes.

Where Ferris State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Ferris State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (46 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$68,630	—	$27,024	0.39
Schoolcraft Community College DistrictLivonia	$4,448	$29,298	$33,558	$13,985	0.48
Ross Medical Education Center-DavisonDavison	—	$28,570	$28,742	$9,500	0.33
Ross Medical Education Center-Ann ArborAnn Arbor	—	$28,570	$28,742	$9,500	0.33
Ross Medical Education Center-BrightonBrighton	—	$28,570	$28,742	$9,500	0.33
Ross Medical Education Center-KentwoodKentwood	—	$28,495	$25,554	$9,500	0.33
National Median	—	$27,783	—	$10,372	0.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

$103,960/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ferris State University, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 38 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.