At $29,950/yr net price, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos 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) | $29,950 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $119,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,673/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,673/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 25.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.3% |
| 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 | $29,548/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $32,615/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $33,477/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. | Associate | $45,723 | $26,524 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
58.3% of students at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos 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
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos runs a high-cost, low-return model that only works if you pick the right program. You pay about $30,000 a year at a for-profit two-year school, and the median graduate earns under $39,000 a decade out. That gap is the core problem: one year of tuition costs nearly as much as three-quarters of a typical annual salary after graduation.
The program you choose decides everything here. The Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment associate degree pays $54,438, and the Allied Health and Medical Assisting associate pays $45,723 , both clear returns above the school median. But those two associate degrees also carry the heaviest debt, around $27,000. The certificate versions flip the math: the Medical Laboratory certificate leaves you with about $3,166 in debt but earns only $26,254, and the Medical Assisting certificate earns $27,140. Low debt, low pay.
The financial risk specific to this school is the net price by income. You would expect lower-income families to pay less, but here families under $30,000 pay about $29,548 while families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay $33,477. Aid does not scale down for lower earners, so a year here eats a huge share of a modest household's income no matter what you earn.
This school makes sense for you if you commit to one of the two associate degrees in diagnostic or medical assisting fields and can absorb the debt against a $45,000-plus salary. If you are eyeing a certificate program, the earnings top out in the mid-$20,000s, and the price does not justify it. If money is tight and you want an allied health credential, a community college in the San Marcos area will get you to similar jobs for a fraction of $30,000 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos worth the cost?
With a net price of nearly $30,000 per year and median earnings of only $38,673 after 10 years, the return on investment is weak for most programs. Only the Allied Health Diagnostic program shows strong earnings potential at $54,438.
What are the best paying programs at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos?
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions leads at $54,438 in median earnings, followed by Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at $45,723. Other programs fall significantly lower, with some barely reaching $25,000.
How much debt do Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates have?
The median debt is relatively low at $9,500, which helps offset the school's poor earnings outcomes. However, with a 58% graduation rate, many students may leave with debt and no degree.
Do Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates struggle to find good jobs?
With median earnings of $38,673 ten years after enrollment, graduates earn less than many two-year degree holders nationwide. The low graduation rate of 58% suggests many students don't complete their programs successfully.