At $21,497/yr net price, Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio 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) | $21,497 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,988 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,673/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,673/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 18.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.9% |
| 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 | $21,380/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,776/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,851/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,748/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,748/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $30,196 | $20,330 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,140 | $8,890 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $26,254 | $3,166 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $25,277 | $8,707 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $25,121 | $8,508 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $22,654 | $7,977 |
The Risk Factor
61.9% of students at Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio graduates earn about $38,673 ten years out, which sits below what a full-time worker at the federal minimum wage clears and only modestly above San Antonio's own low cost of living. That is a weak return against a net price north of $21,000 a year. Your saving grace is debt: a median of $9,500 is low, so you are unlikely to leave buried under loans even if the payoff is thin.
The programs here are all health-adjacent, and none of them break out of a tight, low band. The veterinary/animal health associate degree tops the list on earnings but carries the heaviest debt at over $20,000, which flips it from best-paying to riskiest. The medical laboratory certificate is the smartest math on the page: you finish owing about $3,000 for pay close to the vet program's, so you keep far more of what you earn. Medical assisting, health administration, and dental support certificates cluster around $25,000-$27,000 with debt under $9,000, which is modest but survivable.
The specific risk is that every credential clusters at the same low ceiling. If any of these certificates fails to land you a job, you have paid over $21,000 a year for a program that maps to one narrow role.
On price, the tiers barely move for lower incomes: whether your family earns under $30k or up to $75k, you pay roughly $21,000-$22,000. Families above $75,000 pay about $25,748. There is no meaningful low-income discount here.
This school fits you if you want a short health-field credential, can commute locally, and pick a low-debt certificate like medical laboratory. If you want earnings that clear the low $40,000s, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio worth the cost?
With graduates earning $38,673 annually after a $21,497 yearly program cost, the return is modest but reasonable for healthcare training. The 62% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
Which programs at Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio have the best ROI?
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies offers the highest graduate earnings at $30,196, though this is still relatively low given the program cost. Most other programs lead to earnings in the mid-$25,000 range, which may not justify the tuition for many students.
How much debt do Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio graduates have?
The median debt of $9,500 is manageable compared to many schools. However, with starting salaries around $25,000-$30,000 for most programs, even this modest debt load represents a significant portion of early-career income.
Does Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio provide good financial aid?
The net price of $21,497 suggests limited financial aid relative to the program costs. Students should carefully consider whether the career outcomes justify this expense, especially given the below-average completion rates.