Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,915
82nd percentile (60th in CA)
Median Debt
$9,457
At national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.30
Manageable
Sample Size
3048
Adequate data

Analysis

This Allied Health program at Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista delivers solid financial outcomes that significantly outperform national expectations. With median first-year earnings of $31,915, graduates earn about $4,700 more than the national median for similar programs—placing this program in the 82nd percentile nationally. The debt load of $9,457 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30.

However, the California context tells a more nuanced story. While this program beats the state median earnings by about $5,000, it ranks in the 60th percentile among California's 185 allied health programs. The state's top performers earn $34,000-$40,000+ in the first year, showing there's room for improvement. Still, the modest earnings growth to $33,511 by year four demonstrates steady career progression in this field.

The financial fundamentals are sound here—graduates can realistically pay off their debt while building stable healthcare careers. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students who need affordable pathways into healthcare. While not the strongest performer in California's competitive allied health landscape, this represents a reliable investment that delivers on its promise of career preparation without crushing debt.

Where Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista Stands

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

Pima Medical Institute-Chula VistaOther allied health and medical assisting services programs

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 Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista graduates compare to all programs nationally

Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista graduates earn $32k, placing them in the 82th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate 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 California

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (185 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista$31,915$33,511$9,4570.30
Empire College$40,838$41,628$13,2130.32
Bay Area Medical Academy$38,505$52,333$9,1390.24
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center$38,064—$4,7300.12
Cabrillo College$37,279$45,575——
Unitek College$34,873$31,360$8,4090.24
National Median$27,186—$9,5000.35

Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Empire College
Santa Rosa
—$40,838$13,213
Bay Area Medical Academy
San Francisco
—$38,505$9,139
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center
Sacramento
—$38,064$4,730
Cabrillo College
Aptos
$1,270$37,279—
Unitek College
South San Francisco
—$34,873$8,409

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 Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista, approximately 55% 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 3048 graduates with reported earnings and 3513 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.