At $39,922/yr net price, Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn $36,718/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,718/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $39,922 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $159,688 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,718/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,718/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 58.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $39,734/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $40,769/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $64,281 | $32,311 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $27,758 | $9,431 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $24,298 | $8,958 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $22,493 | $8,789 |
The Risk Factor
54.0% of students at Carrington College-Albuquerque graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial picture at Carrington College-Albuquerque depends almost entirely on which program you pick, and only one of them clears the bar. At nearly $40,000 a year, this is an expensive private for-profit school, and the typical graduate earns under $37,000 a decade later. That gap is the whole story here.
Nursing is the one program that pays off. The associate degree in registered nursing leads to earnings near double what the median graduate makes, and in Albuquerque's healthcare market that credential holds real value. But it carries the heaviest debt load on campus by far, more than three times what other programs leave you with. You take on that debt betting on the nursing salary, and for this program the bet is reasonable.
The certificate programs are where the math breaks down. Medical administration, medical assisting, and dental support all leave you earning in the low-to-mid $20,000s. Against a net price close to $40,000 a year, those numbers do not justify the cost. You would spend more getting the certificate than a single year of the resulting salary.
The specific risk here is price, not debt. Median debt is low at $9,500, but that only means the sticker price is being paid some other way, out of pocket or through grants. Notice that net price does not drop for lower-income families here, so a family earning under $30,000 pays essentially the same as everyone else.
This school makes financial sense if you are committed to the nursing track and can complete it. If you are drawn to one of the certificate programs, the earnings do not support the price, and a community college nursing or allied health program will cost you far less for similar or better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carrington College-Albuquerque worth the cost?
The return on investment is poor overall, with graduates earning $36,718 ten years after enrollment while paying nearly $40,000 annually. Only nursing programs show strong earning potential at $64,281, making the cost worthwhile primarily for RN students.
What programs at Carrington College-Albuquerque have the best ROI?
Registered Nursing graduates earn $64,281 annually, providing solid returns that justify the tuition cost. Other programs like medical assisting ($24,298) and dental support ($22,493) offer poor ROI given the high annual cost of $39,922.
How much debt do Carrington College-Albuquerque students typically graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, but the 54% graduation rate means many students leave without completing their programs. Students who don't graduate still carry debt without the credential needed for higher-paying jobs.
Should I attend Carrington College-Albuquerque for medical assisting?
Medical assisting graduates earn just $24,298 annually, which doesn't justify the $39,922 yearly tuition cost. Community colleges offer similar programs at much lower costs with better financial returns.