Health and Medical Administrative Services at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga charges nearly $34,000 in student loans for a program that delivers starting salaries around $28,500—placing it in the bottom quarter of Tennessee programs in this field. The local community college, Chattanooga State, produces graduates earning $36,000 with comparable debt, representing about $7,500 more per year for the same credential in the same city.
The numbers get worse over time. Earnings actually decline slightly by year four, while that $34,000 debt burden remains. This means graduates face a debt load that exceeds their annual income, creating a challenging repayment scenario that could stretch on for years. With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, this program is serving a predominantly low-income population who can least afford extended debt repayment.
For parents considering healthcare administration programs in Tennessee, this represents one of the state's more expensive and lower-performing options. The same career path is available through nearby Chattanooga State at significantly better value, with stronger earnings outcomes and a fraction of the cost. Unless there are compelling scheduling or access reasons that rule out the community college option, the financial case for Miller-Motte is difficult to justify.
Where Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga graduates compare to all programs nationally
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga graduates earn $29k, placing them in the 30th percentile of all health and medical administrative services associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Health and Medical Administrative Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (9 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | $28,511 | $28,108 | $33,597 | 1.18 |
| Nashville State Community College | $40,023 | $35,010 | — | — |
| Chattanooga State Community College | $36,204 | $38,564 | — | — |
| National Median | $31,719 | — | $23,000 | 0.73 |
Other Health and Medical Administrative Services Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville State Community College Nashville | $4,498 | $40,023 | — |
| Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga | $4,550 | $36,204 | — |
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 Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga, approximately 85% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 70 graduates with reported earnings and 98 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.