Health and Medical Administrative Services at Herzing University-Birmingham

Herzing's medical administrative certificate lands students right in the middle of the pack earnings-wise—$27,871 first year matches the national median almost exactly—but the debt load tells a different story. At $22,135, graduates carry more than double the typical debt for this credential nationally. That 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio means you're borrowing nearly 80% of your first year's salary, which is high for any program but especially concerning for a certificate that should be a quick, affordable entry point into healthcare administration.

The Alabama context matters here: this program ranks in the 60th percentile among in-state options, meaning it performs slightly better than competitors like Fortis Institute and significantly better than Remington College-Mobile. However, nearly all Alabama programs in this field carry excessive debt compared to national norms. The slight earnings decline from year one to year four suggests limited advancement potential without additional credentials—you're essentially earning the same in your fifth year as your second.

For families weighing this investment, the core issue is whether $22,000 in debt is justifiable for a $28,000 salary. The high Pell grant percentage (64%) indicates many students here are already financially stretched. Unless your child has significant scholarship support to reduce that debt burden, community college alternatives or direct entry into medical offices that provide on-the-job training might offer a better financial start in this field.