Health and Medical Administrative Services at Red Rocks Community College

Similar programs across Colorado suggest first-year earnings around $38,000 for healthcare administrative roles—solid footing for an associate's degree, particularly when typical debt sits at an estimated $20,000. That's a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could reasonably tackle repayment while building their careers. The four-year earnings figure of $35,000 hints at the reality that many healthcare admin positions may plateau without additional credentials or specialized experience, though this varies widely by employer and role.

What's worth noting is that peer community colleges in Colorado's Front Range—Arapahoe and Front Range itself—report considerably higher first-year earnings for their graduates, north of $43,000. Whether that reflects different program emphases, stronger employer pipelines, or geographic advantages isn't clear from the data alone, but it suggests the local healthcare administrative job market rewards some preparation more than others. The estimated debt here is below both state and national medians for these programs, which helps offset the earnings uncertainty.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable: lower debt than most alternatives and earnings that should support independence, if not affluence. But the variation among Colorado programs—a $18,000 spread between the top and bottom performers—means the specific skills taught and employer connections matter significantly. Visit the college to understand exactly which healthcare systems recruit from this program and what the actual job placement rates look like.