Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,376 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,504 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,925 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,376/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $26,625 | $10,866 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $24,730 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $21,234 | $9,786 |
The Risk Factor
85.8% of students at Institute of Medical Careers graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The financial picture at Institute of Medical Careers is weak. You pay over $20,000 a year in net price at a for-profit school where the only listed programs are certificates, and the best-paying one lands you at about $26,600 a year. That is not a wage that clears the cost of attendance quickly.
Every program here is a certificate, so treat these as short-term credentials, not degrees. Health and Medical Administrative Services pays the most and carries the least debt of the three, around $10,900. Allied Health and Medical Assisting sits in the middle on pay with no debt figure listed. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science pays the least at roughly $21,200, but it also comes with the lowest debt at about $9,800. None of these paths leaves you earning much above what you spent to get there.
The specific risk is the mismatch between price and payoff. You are borrowing a median of about $12,900 and paying full net price whether your family earns under $30,000 or more. The 85.8% graduation rate means most people finish, so the danger is not dropping out with debt and no credential. The danger is finishing with a certificate that pays in the low-to-mid $20,000s against a cost that outpaces it.
This school fits you if you already live near Pittsburgh, want to enter medical administration or lab work fast, and can keep your borrowing low. The administrative certificate is the strongest bet here. Look elsewhere if you can access a community college certificate in the same field at a fraction of $20,000 a year, since the credentials and the local job market are the same but your cost would drop sharply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Institute of Medical Careers worth the cost compared to other medical schools?
Institute of Medical Careers costs $20,376 per year with relatively low median debt of $12,925, making it more affordable than many healthcare programs. However, graduates earn $21,000-$27,000 starting salaries, which means a longer payback period than higher-paying medical fields.
What programs at Institute of Medical Careers have the best return on investment?
Health and Medical Administrative Services offers the highest starting salary at $26,625, followed by Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at $24,730. Clinical/Medical Laboratory programs pay the least at $21,234 despite similar training costs.
How much debt do Institute of Medical Careers graduates typically have?
The median debt is $12,925, which is lower than many healthcare programs. With starting salaries around $24,000, graduates can expect to spend several years paying off loans even with this relatively modest debt load.
Does Institute of Medical Careers provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The net price of $20,376 suggests limited financial aid availability, as this represents what students actually pay after aid is applied. Students should expect to cover most costs through loans or out-of-pocket payments.