Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Mount Wachusett Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,643

Est. from MA median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$15,975

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $36,600 for this healthcare administration certificate—a figure that's substantially stronger than the national median of $27,800. This Massachusetts advantage is real: comparable community college programs in the state consistently place graduates in the mid-$30K range, reflecting the state's higher healthcare wages and administrative salary floors. For a certificate that typically takes less than a year to complete, these earnings represent a realistic starting point rather than a career ceiling.

The estimated debt of nearly $16,000 deserves scrutiny, however. That's almost double what peer programs in Massachusetts typically generate ($9,000 median) and 50% above the national norm. For a short certificate program, accumulating this level of borrowing suggests either unusual pricing or students needing to cover living expenses while studying. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 remains manageable—below the concerning 1.0 threshold—but it's higher than necessary when other Massachusetts community colleges produce similar outcomes with half the debt load.

Before enrolling, get clarity on actual program costs and compare financial aid packages with other Massachusetts community colleges offering healthcare administration certificates. The career pathway itself appears sound given the state's healthcare market, but the debt estimate signals that Mount Wachusett may be a pricier route to the same destination. If this school offers unique scheduling flexibility or support services worth the premium, the investment could still make sense—just ensure those advantages are concrete, not assumed.

Where Mount Wachusett Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Mount Wachusett Community CollegeGardner	$6,000	$36,643*	—	$15,975*	—
Northern Essex Community CollegeHaverhill	$5,688	$37,514*	$37,697	$8,462*	0.23
Motoring Technical Training InstituteSeekonk	—	$36,643*	$29,541	$9,500*	0.26
Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston	$5,520	$35,298*	$42,411	—*	—
National Median	—	$27,783*	—	$10,372*	0.37

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

$103,960/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Mount Wachusett Community College, approximately 38% 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 median of 3 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.