Health and Medical Administrative Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Delano
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
San Joaquin Valley College-Delano's health and medical administrative services program produces graduates who earn around $26,500—slightly below both national and California medians for this field. With earnings that barely budge over four years (growing just 1% from $26,452 to $26,740), this represents the income ceiling rather than a launching pad for career growth.
The debt picture offers some relief at $10,623, which creates a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, California offers significantly stronger options in this same field. Top-performing programs like Santa Barbara City College deliver nearly double the earnings at $47,046, while several others exceed $32,000. Among California's 155 programs offering this certificate, this one lands squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile.
For families considering this investment, the program serves students from lower-income backgrounds well (76% receive Pell grants) and keeps debt reasonable. But the flat earnings trajectory and below-average starting salaries suggest limited financial upside. If your child can access higher-performing California programs, particularly community college options that often cost less, those would deliver better returns on the educational investment.
Where San Joaquin Valley College-Delano Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How San Joaquin Valley College-Delano graduates compare to all programs nationally
San Joaquin Valley College-Delano graduates earn $26k, placing them in the 39th percentile of all health and medical administrative services certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (155 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Delano | $26,452 | $26,740 | $10,623 | 0.40 |
| Santa Barbara City College | $47,046 | — | $18,728 | 0.40 |
| North-West College-Van Nuys | $40,938 | $26,924 | $9,500 | 0.23 |
| Unitek College | $34,441 | — | $9,500 | 0.28 |
| American Career College-Anaheim | $32,682 | $32,524 | $9,500 | 0.29 |
| American Career College-Los Angeles | $32,682 | $32,524 | $9,500 | 0.29 |
| National Median | $27,783 | — | $10,372 | 0.37 |
Other Health and Medical Administrative Services Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara | $1,234 | $47,046 | $18,728 |
| North-West College-Van Nuys Van Nuys | — | $40,938 | $9,500 |
| Unitek College Fremont | — | $34,441 | $9,500 |
| American Career College-Anaheim Anaheim | — | $32,682 | $9,500 |
| American Career College-Los Angeles Los Angeles | — | $32,682 | $9,500 |
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 San Joaquin Valley College-Delano, approximately 76% 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 459 graduates with reported earnings and 547 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.