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Best Value Health and Medical Administrative Services Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Long Beach stands out among California's 20 health and medical administrative services programs with graduates earning $41,342 annually despite a net cost of only $8,931. This impressive return on investment reflects the state's strong healthcare sector, where major medical centers like Cedars-Sinai and Kaiser Permanente create steady demand for skilled administrative professionals. The earnings gap between programs spans $11,284, with San Jose State University leading at $45,277 in graduate earnings. Public universities dominate the value proposition, occupying four of the top five spots with net costs ranging from $3,659 to $8,931. Private institutions tell a different story, with net costs climbing as high as $38,205 at California Aeronautical University. The state's Cal Grant program helps level the playing field for qualifying students, making even costlier options more accessible. Silicon Valley's proximity to several programs creates unique opportunities in healthcare technology administration, where traditional medical administration skills merge with tech-sector demands.
31
Programs
$-904 – $38,205
Net Price Range
$37,438
Avg. Program Earnings
54.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

31 Health and Medical Administrative Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $38,048 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $5,918 $34,793 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
3 $7,599 $40,662 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
4 $8,931 $41,342 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
5 $13,741 $45,277 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
6 $25,321 $35,831 $13,160 8.8%
7 $31,058 $41,565 $13,320 50.0%
8 $25,680 $33,993 $14,804 61.8%
9 $27,384 $35,701 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
10 $26,217 $33,993 $14,804 56.1%
11 $27,002 $33,993 $14,804 57.3%
12 $28,014 $33,993 $14,804 62.2%
13 $33,294 $40,089 $17,488 42.9% 40.1%
14 $38,205 $34,847 $35,465 41.9%
15 $21,941 75.9% 33.3%
16 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
17 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
18 $36,836 $22,685 64.3%
19 $25,805 97.1%
20 $25,114 77.2% 10.1%
21 $26,689 20.0%
22 $-904 $1,150 33.8%
23 $29,092 33.9%
24 $32,256 33.8%
25 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
26 $27,721 63.2% 40.0%
27 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
28 $27,923 $38,522 41.7%
29 $3,743 $1,197 29.1%
30 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
31 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Long Beach the top value program?

CSU Long Beach delivers the strongest return on investment with graduates earning $41,342 annually after a net cost of just $8,931. The program maintains a 69.90% graduation rate, well above the state average for health administration programs. Students graduate with only $11,000 in debt, significantly lower than private alternatives that average over $25,000 in student loans.

How do public and private program costs compare in California?

Public universities offer remarkable value with net costs between $3,659 and $13,741, while private institutions range from $14,317 to $38,205. The cost difference reaches $24,546 between the most affordable public option at CSU Dominguez Hills and the most expensive at California Aeronautical University. Private programs often carry debt loads exceeding $30,000, compared to public programs averaging under $20,000.

Where do graduates find the highest earning potential?

San Jose State University graduates lead with $45,277 in annual earnings, benefiting from Silicon Valley's high-paying healthcare technology sector. CSU Long Beach and CSU Northridge follow closely with earnings above $40,000. The Bay Area's concentration of major medical systems and health tech companies creates premium opportunities for administrative professionals with strong technical skills.

Is the Cal Grant program significant for these programs?

Cal Grant coverage makes California's public programs exceptionally affordable, with in-state tuition ranging from $7,008 to $7,992 across the CSU system. This state funding reduces the actual cost burden substantially, allowing students to focus on education rather than financial stress. Even students attending private institutions can apply Cal Grant funds toward their significantly higher tuition costs.

Does California's healthcare industry support program graduates well?

California's massive healthcare sector, anchored by systems like Kaiser Permanente with over 40 hospitals statewide, creates consistent demand for administrative professionals. The state's biotech corridor and medical device companies add specialized opportunities beyond traditional hospital administration. Graduate earnings ranging from $33,993 to $45,277 reflect this strong job market, with geographic variations based on local healthcare industry concentration.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.