Health and Medical Administrative Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
At $26,452 in first-year earnings, San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria's health administration program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—ranking in the 40th percentile both nationally and within California. While the modest $10,623 debt load keeps the financial burden reasonable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, the earnings picture reveals a concerning stagnation. Graduates see virtually no income growth over four years, earning just $288 more by year four.
This flat earnings trajectory becomes more problematic when you see what's possible elsewhere in California. Top-performing programs like Santa Barbara City College deliver nearly double the earnings at $47,046, while several other schools exceed $32,000. Even accounting for potential differences in program length or requirements, the gap suggests limited advancement opportunities for graduates from this particular program.
For families considering this investment, the numbers suggest a program that gets you employed quickly but doesn't build toward higher-paying roles. The reasonable debt load means you won't be financially underwater, but parents should understand they're paying for job entry rather than career growth. Given the wide variation in outcomes across California's 155 programs in this field, exploring higher-performing alternatives would be wise before committing.
Where San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria 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-Santa Maria graduates compare to all programs nationally
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria 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-Santa Maria | $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-Santa Maria, approximately 62% 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.