Health and Medical Administrative Services at Ridgewater College

Ridgewater College graduates start strong, earning $40,206 in their first year—outpacing 95% of similar programs nationwide and coming in respectably at the 60th percentile in Minnesota. That's notably better than the national median of $31,719, and while it trails Minnesota's top performers like Anoka Tech and Rochester Community College, it's competitive within the state. The debt load of $25,902 is manageable, translating to a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be workable for most graduates.

The concern here is what happens next. Earnings drop to $35,471 by year four—a 12% decline that's unusual for healthcare administration roles. This could reflect graduates moving between positions, shifting to part-time work, or leaving the field entirely, but without more context it's difficult to know. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers might not represent the typical experience, and a few individual career paths could skew the results significantly.

For families considering this program, the strong starting salary and reasonable debt make it a solid initial investment, particularly compared to national alternatives. Just be aware that the earnings trajectory doesn't follow the typical upward pattern, and with such limited data, you're working with less certainty than you'd have at larger programs. If your child is committed to healthcare administration and plans to stay in Minnesota, this program offers a legitimate path in—just keep expectations realistic about long-term earnings growth.