Health and Medical Administrative Services at Intellitec College-Grand Junction

The year-four earnings of $29,707 reveal something troubling: this program's graduates appear to lose ground financially after their first year rather than advancing. While comparable Colorado programs suggest starting earnings around $37,800, the actual tracked outcome four years later sits well below that initial estimate and even beneath the national median of $31,719 for this field. That backward trajectory should concern any parent investing in what's supposed to be career preparation.

The estimated debt of $23,000 looks manageable on paper—yielding a 0.61 ratio against projected first-year earnings—but that calculation assumes graduates actually earn near the state average. The reality check comes from that year-four figure, which would push the debt burden significantly higher relative to actual income. Meanwhile, Front Range and Arapahoe community colleges report graduates earning over $43,000, suggesting stronger alternatives exist within Colorado's public system. For a school serving 64% Pell grant recipients, these financial fundamentals matter enormously.

The central question isn't whether healthcare administration offers viable careers—it does—but whether this particular program positions graduates to access them. With earnings declining rather than growing post-graduation and stronger-performing options available across the state, parents should investigate what's different about this program's outcomes and whether those year-four earnings represent temporary setbacks or systemic placement challenges.