Health and Medical Administrative Services at San Jacinto Community College

San Jacinto Community College's health administration certificate costs more than typical for this field—$16,000 versus a state median of $9,500—but delivers performance that makes the premium defensible. Graduates earn $37,001 four years out, placing this program in the 80th percentile among Texas health administration certificates and 91st percentile nationally. That's $11,400 above the Texas median and nearly $10,000 above the national benchmark, suggesting this program has either stronger clinical partnerships or curriculum that positions graduates for better-paying roles.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means graduates owe roughly five months of first-year salary—manageable by community college standards. What matters more is the trajectory: earnings grow 11% by year four, and graduates are already outearning peers at Galveston College and Dallas College within a year of completion. For a certificate program at a school serving 30% Pell-eligible students, these outcomes indicate genuine economic mobility.

The higher debt reflects that this is a certificate rather than a simple coursework credential—it likely includes more extensive training or clinical hours. If your child can complete this efficiently (certificates typically take less than a year full-time), the math works: higher upfront cost, but you're essentially buying into the top 20% of Texas programs in this field. That's a reasonable trade for stronger job placement and earning potential.