Health and Medical Administrative Services at Martinsburg College

Martinsburg College's health administration certificate leaves graduates earning $21,374 their first year out—roughly $6,000 below the West Virginia median for similar programs and more than $5,000 below comparable certificates at nearby Ross and West Virginia Junior College. Even within the state, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of West Virginia programs deliver better starting salaries. Nationally, it lands in the bottom 5% of health administration certificates.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $9,500, it matches the state median and sits below the national average. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates owe roughly five months' worth of first-year salary. This manageable debt load keeps the program from being an outright financial trap, but it doesn't change the fundamental earnings problem. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (81% Pell recipients), which makes the weak earning outcomes particularly concerning for families already stretched thin.

For families in Martinsburg specifically, Valley College down the street produces nearly identical outcomes at $20,993, while Ross and West Virginia Junior College locations across the state deliver 25-30% higher earnings for the same certificate. If healthcare administration is the goal, your child would likely be better served at one of those alternatives unless Martinsburg College offers compelling non-financial advantages like location convenience or specific support services that matter for your family's situation.