Health and Medical Administrative Services at Glendale Career College

Glendale Career College's medical administrative certificate puts graduates right at the middle of the pack in California, but that middle isn't particularly compelling. Starting earnings of $26,827 are actually below the national benchmark for this credential, and even after four years, graduates average under $30,000. The program ranks in just the 42nd percentile nationally, meaning most similar programs elsewhere produce better outcomes. The $9,500 debt load seems modest in absolute terms, but represents 35% of first-year earnings—a meaningful burden when you're barely clearing $2,200 monthly before taxes.

The gap between this program and California's top performers is striking. Santa Barbara City College graduates earn 75% more in the same field, while even mid-tier options like Unitek and American Career College deliver $5,000-7,000 higher starting salaries. Given that over half of Glendale's students receive Pell grants, these lower earnings hit families who can least afford the opportunity cost.

For a certificate that takes months rather than years to complete, you'd want faster financial returns. The reality is that medical administrative roles often pay similarly whether you have formal credentials or not—many employers value experience and office skills over certificates. If your child is set on this field, exploring community college options that significantly outperform this program would be worth the extra commute.