At $21,925/yr net price, Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista graduates earn $38,673/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,673/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,925 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,673/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,673/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 18.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.9% |
| 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 | $21,972/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,841/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,906/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $54,438 | $26,923 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,140 | $8,890 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $25,277 | $8,707 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $25,121 | $8,508 |
The Risk Factor
56.9% of students at Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista 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 Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista is mixed and leans risky. You pay a private-college net price here, but the median graduate earns under $40,000 ten years out. Your median debt of $9,500 stays low, which softens the blow, but the earnings ceiling is real.
The one program that clearly pays off is the Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment associate degree. Graduates earn roughly $54,000, well above the school median, though they also carry the heaviest debt on the list at nearly $27,000. If you enroll here, this is the program where the math works.
The certificate programs are where the return gets weak. Medical assisting, health administrative services, and dental support all land near $25,000 to $27,000 in earnings. Their debt loads stay under $9,000, so you won't drown, but wages in that range make the yearly net price hard to justify unless you finish fast and start working.
The specific risk here is the gap between what you pay and what you earn. You're paying private-school prices for credentials that mostly lead to entry-level allied health wages in the San Diego area, where cost of living is high. A 57% graduation rate also means a meaningful share of students leave without the credential that justified the cost.
The net price tiers add another warning. Families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay the most, close to $25,000 a year, more than the lowest-income tier. If your family sits in that middle band, you face the worst deal.
This school fits you if you want the diagnostic associate track and can complete it. If you're eyeing the certificate programs, price out the community college versions first, since the earnings here don't support the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista worth the cost?
With graduates earning $38,673 after 10 years and annual costs of $21,925, the return on investment is modest. The low graduation rate of 57% means many students don't complete their programs, making the financial risk higher than the numbers suggest.
What programs at Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista have the best job prospects?
Allied Health Diagnostic programs offer the strongest earning potential at $54,438 annually, nearly double the school average. Medical assisting and administrative health programs pay around $25,000-27,000, which barely covers the cost of attendance.
How much debt do students graduate with from Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, but this only accounts for students who actually graduate. With a 57% graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista provide good financial aid?
At $21,925 net price after aid, costs remain high relative to graduate earnings. The financial aid appears limited given that most programs lead to starting salaries that make debt repayment challenging.