Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Polk State College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$35,095

95th percentile

80th percentile in Florida

Median Debt

$14,479

40% above national median

Analysis

Polk State College's health administration certificate punches well above its weight, delivering $35,095 in first-year earnings—nearly $8,000 more than Florida's median for this program and $7,300 above the national benchmark. Among 92 Florida schools offering this credential, Polk ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only the state's top handful of programs. For an anxious parent, this performance is particularly reassuring given that healthcare administration certificates can be inconsistent in their outcomes.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $14,479, graduates carry manageable balances that amount to just 41% of first-year earnings. While slightly above state and national medians, this debt loads sits in the 29th percentile nationally—meaning most comparable programs saddle students with more debt. That combination of higher-than-average earnings with near-average debt creates genuine ROI, especially for students who need a faster path into healthcare careers than a traditional four-year degree provides.

For families weighing this certificate, the fundamentals are solid. Graduates enter healthcare administration roles earning enough to manage their debt comfortably, and they're doing so after a compact program at a college that serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students. This isn't just affordable access—it's affordable access that actually delivers competitive earnings.

Where Polk State College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Polk State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (92 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Polk State CollegeWinter Haven	$3,366	$35,095	—	$14,479	0.41
Seminole State College of FloridaSanford	$3,227	$37,000	—	$15,750	0.43
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg	$2,682	$36,407	$37,670	$20,819	0.57
Florida National University-Main CampusHialeah	$16,088	$34,090	—	—	—
Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala	$15,117	$33,372	$34,496	$13,143	0.39
Erwin Technical CollegeTampa	—	$33,313	—	—	—
National Median	—	$27,783	—	$10,372	0.37

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 Polk State College, approximately 33% 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 37 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.