Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests reasonable financial footing for this healthcare program, though the lack of school-specific data makes it harder to assess Los Angeles Harbor College's particular value proposition. Based on national patterns from similar associate-level health professions programs, graduates might expect around $35,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $15,400 in debt—numbers that would allow repayment within manageable timeframes if the estimates hold true locally.
The challenge lies in California's notoriously high cost of living, particularly in the Los Angeles area. Even if earnings align with national medians, housing and living expenses could significantly erode the practical value of that $35,000 salary. Healthcare roles at the associate level—medical assistants, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists—vary widely in their earning potential and job stability, so understanding which specific career track this program feeds into matters enormously.
Without actual outcomes data from this campus, you're essentially betting that Los Angeles Harbor College performs at least as well as the national median. That's not unreasonable for a community college health program, but reach out to the school's career services office for placement rates and ask current students about clinical rotation quality. The estimated debt load is modest enough that the gamble isn't catastrophic if things don't pan out, but you'll want concrete evidence that graduates are landing the better-paying healthcare positions rather than clustering at the lower end of the salary range.
Where Los Angeles Harbor College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Health Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,238 | $35,232* | — | $15,440* | — | |
| $21,198 | $48,291* | — | $39,835* | 0.82 | |
| $8,400 | $41,350* | $51,205 | $8,358* | 0.20 | |
| $4,550 | $36,180* | $39,058 | $22,513* | 0.62 | |
| $5,856 | $35,765* | $44,497 | $12,950* | 0.36 | |
| $13,630 | $35,232* | — | $17,930* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $35,232* | — | $17,930* | 0.51 |
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 Los Angeles Harbor College, approximately 23% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.