Health and Medical Administrative Services at Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix

Pima Medical Institute's healthcare administration certificate comes with a troubling combination: earnings that trail both state and national averages while carrying debt levels higher than 95% of similar programs nationwide. First-year graduates earn $26,557—about $3,200 below the Arizona median and $1,200 below the national median. Meanwhile, the $8,272 in typical debt exceeds what students borrow at most comparable programs, creating a financial squeeze that's particularly concerning for a working-class student body (48% receive Pell grants).

The earnings picture does improve over time, with a 22% jump to $32,424 by year four, but graduates still lag behind peers from Arizona's community colleges. Phoenix College graduates earn $34,608 right out of the gate—$8,000 more than Pima's first-year figure—with likely less debt. Given that this certificate is supposed to provide quick entry into stable healthcare administration work, starting $3,200 behind the state median while carrying above-average debt undermines the program's core appeal.

For families considering this path, the math is straightforward: Arizona has 32 programs offering this credential, and this one ranks at the 40th percentile for earnings while charging more than most. Unless location constraints make Pima the only viable option, parents should look at the state's community colleges, which deliver stronger earnings outcomes with lower debt burdens.