Health and Medical Administrative Services at Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College's healthcare administration program sits in an interesting middle ground among Virginia options. While first-year earnings of $29,290 trail the national median by about $2,400, they surpass most Virginia competitors and outpace the state median by over $5,000—landing this program in the 60th percentile statewide. Only Bryant & Stratton and ECPI edge ahead, and not by much.

The real story here is trajectory and affordability. Graduates see robust 37% earnings growth to $40,066 by year four, and they're doing it with just $15,329 in debt—roughly $8,000 below both national and state medians. That 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, a manageable burden that improves quickly as earnings rise. For families watching their budget, this matters: you're getting competitive outcomes without the debt load that burdens graduates from pricier programs.

The caveat: sample size is small here, so individual circumstances could vary more than usual. But the fundamentals work for families seeking an affordable entry into healthcare administration. You're getting solid Virginia earnings with significantly less debt than typical programs charge, and the four-year earnings suggest real career progression rather than a dead-end credential.