Health and Medical Administrative Services at United Education Institute-Las Vegas

Can $9,500 in debt buy you a viable career path? At United Education Institute-Las Vegas, this health administration certificate delivers exactly middle-of-the-pack results for Nevada—which means you're starting behind the curve. First-year earnings of $24,781 lag both the national average ($27,783) and what other Nevada students earn in similar programs ($27,523). However, the program shows something many certificate programs don't: meaningful earnings growth. That 28% jump to $31,731 by year four suggests graduates are building real skills that translate into career advancement, eventually pulling ahead of the typical Nevada outcome.

The debt load is manageable—lower than the national median and tied for the state's cheapest option. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, this school clearly serves working-class families, and the relatively low debt burden matters for students starting from economic disadvantage. Still, context is crucial: you could pay roughly the same amount for programs at Northwest Career College or Carrington College-Las Vegas that deliver $5,000-$6,000 more in starting salary.

The calculation hinges on whether your child can afford to earn $25,000 while building skills for four years. If they need stronger immediate earnings and can access competitive programs like Northwest or Carrington, those are safer bets. But if this is their most accessible option and they're committed to growing in the field, the low debt and improving trajectory make it workable—just understand you're betting on the four-year outcome, not the day-one paycheck.