At $20,904/yr net price, Pima Medical Institute-Mesa 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) | $20,904 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,616 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,673/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,673/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 17.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.9% |
| 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 | $21,241/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,225/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,330/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,842/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 | $60,933 | $27,552 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $54,438 | $26,923 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,723 | $26,524 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,140 | $8,890 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $25,194 | $8,894 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $25,121 | $8,508 |
The Risk Factor
62.9% of students at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa gives you a split outcome that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The school-wide median earnings of $38,673 sit well below what its nursing track produces, because that median blends high-paying associate degrees with low-paying certificate programs. Your program choice here matters more than the school itself.
The associate degree in Registered Nursing is the clear winner, paying more than double what the practical nursing certificate returns. Allied Health Diagnostic and Medical Assisting associate degrees also clear $45,000. Arizona's Phoenix-area healthcare market supports these wages, and Mesa is a large enough metro to absorb nursing graduates. If you enroll in one of these associate programs, the financial case works.
The certificate programs are where the money stops working. The practical nursing certificate leaves you earning around $25,000, barely above the medical assisting certificate. You take on less debt for these, but the payoff is thin against a net price above $20,000 per year.
The debt gap is the real risk. Associate degree graduates carry roughly $27,000 in debt, three times what certificate holders owe. High earnings justify that load for nursing, but if you start an associate program and don't finish, you own the debt without the salary. The 62.9% graduation rate means more than a third of you won't complete.
Net price barely moves across income tiers, and families earning $75,000 to $110,000 actually pay the most, near $24,800. Lower-income families see no meaningful discount here, so budget for the full sticker.
Come here for the RN associate degree if you can finish it. Skip the certificate tracks unless a specific job is waiting for you, because the earnings won't clear the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pima Medical Institute-Mesa worth the cost?
The answer depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn around $60,933 annually, making the $20,904 yearly cost reasonable, but some allied health programs lead to salaries under $30,000 which creates poor ROI.
What are the highest paying programs at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa?
Registered Nursing and Nursing Administration programs offer the best financial returns at nearly $61,000 annually. Allied Health Diagnostic programs also pay well at $54,438, while practical nursing and medical assisting programs start around $25,000-$27,000.
How much debt do Pima Medical Institute-Mesa graduates have?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, which is manageable for nursing graduates but problematic for lower-paying programs. With some programs leading to salaries under $30,000, even modest debt can strain budgets.
What is the graduation rate at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa?
About 63% of students graduate, which is below average for most colleges. This means over one-third of students leave without completing their program, losing both time and money invested.