Health and Medical Administrative Services at Gateway Community and Technical College

Gateway's health administration program shows first-year earnings of $48,917—a figure that places it at the top of Kentucky's associate programs in this field and well above the national median of $31,719. But that impressive start comes with a significant caveat: by year four, median earnings drop to $31,103, a 36% decline that suggests many graduates may be moving between jobs, transitioning to part-time work, or leaving healthcare administration altogether. With estimated debt around $16,549 based on comparable Kentucky programs, the initial debt-to-earnings picture looks manageable, but that four-year trajectory raises questions about career stability.

The sharp earnings decline is unusual enough to warrant investigation before enrollment. Are graduates struggling to find permanent positions after initial placements? Is this a field where employers rely heavily on contract or temporary workers? The pattern differs notably from peer programs like Jefferson Community and Technical College, where graduates earn $36,541 (though we lack their four-year data for comparison). The uncertainty is compounded by the fact that the debt figure itself is an estimate—we don't know what Gateway's specific graduates actually owe.

If your child enrolls, plan for that first-year salary to potentially represent a high point rather than a foundation for growth. The strong initial placement suggests the program connects students to healthcare employers, but the earnings trajectory means graduates may need backup plans or additional credentials to sustain those early gains.