Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,890 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $111,560 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,555 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,248/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,262/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,604/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,470/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,608/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $26,353 | $21,982 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $20,493 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
66.0% of students at High Desert Medical College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at High Desert Medical College is weak, and the numbers make that clear. This is a private for-profit school where you pay close to $28,000 a year, yet the two credentials with reported earnings are both certificates that lead to modest pay. The allied health diagnostic certificate gets you to about $26,000 a year, and the medical assisting certificate lands near $20,000. Neither of those salaries gives you much room after you cover the cost of attending.
The debt picture splits sharply by program. The diagnostic certificate leaves you owing close to $22,000 while paying about the same annually, so your debt roughly equals a year of pre-tax income. The medical assisting certificate is the safer bet on paper: debt around $9,500 against $20,000 in earnings. If you enroll here, medical assisting carries less financial risk than the diagnostic track.
The core risk is that the price does not match the payoff. A $28,000 sticker for a certificate that earns $20,000 to $26,000 is a hard trade, especially at a for-profit school where those two programs are the earnings data you have to go on. There are no bachelor-level outcomes here, so treat this as short vocational training and price it accordingly.
Notice the net price barely moves by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $27,000. if you earn over $110,000, you pay about $31,000. Lower-income families get almost no break, so the cost hits hardest for those least able to absorb it.
This school fits you only if you want a fast route into medical assisting and can keep borrowing low. If you want a degree, higher earnings, or a lower price, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Desert Medical College worth the cost compared to other medical programs?
High Desert Medical College costs $27,890 per year with a 66% graduation rate, which is below average for healthcare programs. The median debt of $13,555 is relatively low, but graduates in allied health programs earn $20,000-26,000 starting salaries that may not justify the total program cost.
What is the return on investment for High Desert Medical College graduates?
With starting salaries around $20,000-26,000 for top programs and total costs near $56,000 for a two-year program, High Desert Medical College graduates face a challenging debt-to-income ratio. The low median debt of $13,555 suggests many students pay out of pocket or don't complete their programs.
Which High Desert Medical College programs offer the best job prospects?
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment programs show the highest earning potential at $26,353, while Medical Assisting programs start around $20,493. Both fields have job growth, but the starting salaries are below the national average for healthcare careers.
How much financial aid does High Desert Medical College provide?
The net price of $27,890 per year indicates limited financial aid availability at High Desert Medical College. Students should carefully evaluate whether the career outcomes justify this cost, especially given the 34% of students who don't graduate.