Health and Medical Administrative Services at Stark State College

This program's first-year earnings of $36,006 place it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Ohio's 85 similar programs—impressive numbers that beat the state median by over $7,000. The relatively modest debt load of $17,025 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, which is manageable by most standards. For families prioritizing immediate employment in healthcare administration, these numbers look solid on paper.

The red flag here is the earnings trajectory: graduates earn $4,146 less four years out than they did right after completing the certificate. This backward slide is unusual and worth understanding before enrolling. It could reflect the realities of healthcare administration roles that don't require advancement beyond certificate-level credentials, or it might indicate graduates taking different career paths over time. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few outliers.

Given the strong initial placement and reasonable debt, this certificate makes sense if your child needs quick entry into healthcare administration and understands the earnings ceiling. The first-year outcomes suggest Stark State has solid employer connections in the region. Just recognize this is likely a stepping stone credential, not a path to significant income growth—plan accordingly if four-year degree completion is part of the longer-term strategy.