Health and Medical Administrative Services at St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis

At first glance, St. Louis College of Health Careers looks like a reasonable choice for an associate's degree in medical administration. Graduates earn $35,503 their first year—about $4,000 above the national median and slightly above Missouri's typical outcome for this field. The program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it outperforms most community colleges offering similar training. With debt around $27,000 and a 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates could feasibly repay loans within a reasonable timeframe if they maintain steady employment in healthcare administration.

However, the small sample size here matters quite a bit. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of unusually successful or struggling alumni could skew these numbers significantly. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (80% receive Pell grants), which is encouraging for access but means students here may have fewer financial safety nets if job placement doesn't go as planned. For context, nearby State Fair Community College shows slightly higher earnings at $36,652, while this program ties with the Fenton campus.

For families considering this program, the value proposition hinges on job placement support and whether your child can secure one of the better-paying medical office roles—particularly in hospital systems or large practices where administrative staff earn more. The numbers suggest this is workable, but not a slam-dunk given the uncertainty in the data.