Health and Medical Administrative Services at Pennco Tech-Blackwood

Pennco Tech's medical administrative certificate program faces a troubling reality: graduates earn $27,300 in their first year, then see their income drop to $22,689 by year four—a 17% decline that's hard to explain in a field where experience should build value. While the program keeps debt manageable at just over $6,000, the earnings trajectory ranks in the 40th percentile among New Jersey's 27 programs, falling well short of the state median of $30,540.

The comparison to other New Jersey schools is particularly revealing. Top performers like Eastwick College-Nutley place graduates earning $37,622, while even mid-tier programs hit the $30,000 mark. For a family considering this program, that's a $8,000+ annual earnings gap that compounds significantly over time. Given that 59% of students here receive Pell grants, many are counting on this credential to change their economic trajectory—but the declining earnings pattern suggests graduates may struggle to advance or are moving into lower-paying roles as time passes.

The low debt is genuinely good news and makes this a lower-risk option than many certificate programs. But when graduates four years out are earning barely above minimum wage in many markets, even modest debt becomes harder to justify. If your child is set on medical administration in New Jersey, stronger alternatives exist at similar institutions—or community colleges might offer better value with comparable outcomes.