Health and Medical Administrative Services at Plaza College

Plaza College graduates this program earning nearly $7,500 less than the typical New York healthcare administration graduate—placing it in just the 25th percentile statewide. That gap matters in an expensive metro area like New York, where $39,300 doesn't stretch far. Compare this to CUNY New York City College of Technology's $63,600 or even Berkeley College's $49,300, and you're looking at a $10,000-$24,000 annual earnings disadvantage for similar work.

The debt load compounds the problem. At $39,400, graduates carry about 39% more debt than the New York median while earning substantially less. A 1.00 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe roughly what they'll make in their first year—manageable if earnings grew significantly, but healthcare administration salaries typically start modestly and climb slowly. The fact that 85% of students receive Pell grants suggests Plaza serves a population for whom this debt burden could be particularly challenging.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the pattern is concerning: below-average earnings combined with above-average debt in one of the country's most expensive housing markets. If your child is set on healthcare administration, exploring CUNY options or other programs in the top-tier New York list would likely offer better financial outcomes. This particular combination of debt and earnings creates a tight post-graduation budget that could limit housing choices and delay other financial goals.