Health and Medical Administrative Services at Wichita Technical Institute

With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, Wichita Technical Institute serves a heavily low-income population—and the outcomes suggest they're not getting optimal value. Starting earnings of $26,249 trail both the Kansas state median ($29,810) and the national benchmark ($27,783) for this credential. The program sits at just the 40th percentile among Kansas health administrative programs, meaning six in ten comparable Kansas programs deliver better initial earnings. Meanwhile, Rasmussen University-Kansas graduates in the same field start at $33,372—a $7,000+ advantage that compounds over time.

The debt load tells a more encouraging story: at $19,150, it's well below the national median and results in a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can realistically pay this down. The 12% earnings growth to $29,498 by year four shows some progression, though it still leaves graduates trailing where peers at other Kansas schools started. For families already stretched thin financially, starting $3,500 below the state median matters—that's roughly three months of rent or a reliable used car.

The bottom line: this certificate gets students credentialed without crushing debt, but parents should ask why graduates here earn substantially less than at other Kansas programs. For families counting on every dollar, exploring alternatives like Rasmussen or community college options might yield better returns, even if the upfront cost is slightly higher.