Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degree) at Rio Salado College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,519

Est. from AZ median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$20,437

Est. from national median (85 programs)

Analysis

Healthcare administrative roles need steady income from day one, making the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 worth examining closely. Based on comparable associate programs in Arizona, first-year earnings around $35,500 would put graduates just above the national median for this field—a solid starting point for entry-level medical office work. With estimated debt near $20,400, the monthly loan burden would consume roughly 10-12% of take-home pay, manageable but tight in Arizona's urban markets where Rio Salado operates.

The context matters here: several Arizona programs with reported outcomes show graduates earning $37,000-$39,000 in their first year, suggesting there's variation in how different schools connect students to employers. Rio Salado's community college model typically offers lower tuition than proprietary schools, which should translate to less debt than the $20,400 estimate (itself drawn from a broad national sample). Still, the unusually low Pell grant rate—just 7% of students—raises questions about whether this program serves working adults with existing healthcare experience rather than traditional students entering the field fresh.

For a parent weighing this investment, the key uncertainty is whether Rio Salado's specific connections to Phoenix-area healthcare employers can match or exceed what peer programs deliver. The estimated figures suggest viable economics, but actual outcomes for this particular program remain unknown due to small cohort sizes.

Where Rio Salado College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona

Health and Medical Administrative Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Rio Salado CollegeTempe	$2,358	$35,519*	—	$20,437*	—
Pima Community CollegeTucson	$2,370	$39,413*	$38,151	$10,500*	0.27
Pima Medical Institute-TucsonTucson	—	$38,456*	$38,833	$23,757*	0.62
Brookline College-TempeTempe	—	$37,061*	$30,047	$19,999*	0.54
Brookline College-TucsonTucson	—	$37,061*	—	—*	—
Brookline College-PhoenixPhoenix	—	$37,061*	$30,047	$19,999*	0.54
National Median	—	$31,719*	—	$23,000*	0.73

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Rio Salado College, approximately 7% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in AZ. Actual outcomes may vary.