Health and Medical Administrative Services at Tyler Junior College

Tyler Junior College graduates from this medical administrative program start with first-year earnings about 3% above the Texas median and outperform two-thirds of similar programs nationally—a solid beginning for an associate degree with relatively modest debt of $19,717. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift considerably with more data, so treat them as directional rather than definitive.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings drop: graduates earn $35,225 in year one but fall to $30,239 by year four, a 14% decline that's unusual for healthcare administrative roles. This backward trajectory could reflect career path instability, changes in local healthcare job markets, or simply the noise that comes with tracking fewer than 30 people over time. For context, top Texas programs like San Jacinto Community College show first-year earnings around $40,000, suggesting there's room for stronger outcomes in this field.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means graduates owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary—manageable if earnings stabilize, but riskier given the downward trend. For parents considering this program, the key question is whether their child has a clear path to administrative positions that maintain or grow earnings over time. With limited data points, this program deserves cautious consideration rather than being ruled out entirely, but families should explore whether those higher-performing Texas programs are geographically accessible alternatives.