Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria

Median Earnings (1yr)

$26,452

39th percentile

40th percentile in California

Median Debt

$10,623

2% above national median

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

Earnings Distribution

How San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria	$26,452	$26,740	+1%
Carrington College-San Jose	$30,476	$35,863	+18%
Carrington College-Sacramento	$30,476	$35,863	+18%
Carrington College-San Leandro Campus	$30,476	$35,863	+18%
Carrington College-Stockton	$30,476	$35,863	+18%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Health and Medical Administrative Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (155 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa MariaSanta Maria	—	$26,452	$26,740	$10,623	0.40
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara	$1,234	$47,046	—	$18,728	0.40
North-West College-Van NuysVan Nuys	—	$40,938	$26,924	$9,500	0.23
Unitek CollegeFremont	—	$34,441	—	$9,500	0.28
American Career College-Los AngelesLos Angeles	—	$32,682	$32,524	$9,500	0.29
American Career College-AnaheimAnaheim	—	$32,682	$32,524	$9,500	0.29
National Median	—	$27,783	—	$10,372	0.37

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 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.