At $18,131/yr net price, YTI Career Institute-Altoona graduates earn $30,188/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,131 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,524 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,188/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,812/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,649/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,212/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,296/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,742/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,859/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $25,496 | $15,333 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $24,421 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $23,890 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $22,012 |
The Risk Factor
95.0% of students at YTI Career Institute-Altoona graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The financial math at YTI Career Institute-Altoona is rough. You pay about $18,131 a year, and the median graduate earns $30,188 a decade later. Two years of that net price runs past $36,000, and the earnings never climb far enough to justify it. A 95% graduation rate means you will likely finish, but finishing here does not translate into strong pay.
None of the programs pay well. Criminal Justice and Corrections tops the list at $29,685, which is close to the school-wide median and still low for an associate degree. Allied Health and Medical Assisting comes in at $25,496 and carries $15,333 in debt on that credential alone. The IT administration program pays $24,421, and the two certificate tracks in medical administration and dental support sit even lower, in the low $20,000s. Whichever path you pick, you land in the same tight band of earnings that barely clears entry-level wages.
The specific risk here is debt against flat pay. A medical assisting graduate carrying over $15,000 in debt while earning $25,496 has little room to make payments and cover living costs in central Pennsylvania. There is no bachelor's option to lift you into higher-paying work.
The net price tiers add another problem. If your family earns over $75,000, you pay around $23,800 a year, roughly $7,000 more than families earning under $48,000. But even the discounted price for lower-income families does not fix the returns, since earnings stay flat regardless of what you paid.
This school fits you only if you have a specific local job lined up in one of these fields and can keep borrowing near zero. If you can attend a community college for less, or want earnings above $30,000, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YTI Career Institute-Altoona worth the cost?
YTI Career Institute-Altoona graduates earn $30,188 ten years after graduation, which is low compared to the $18,131 annual cost. Most programs lead to starting salaries in the $22,000-$29,000 range, making debt repayment challenging.
What are the highest paying programs at YTI Career Institute-Altoona?
Criminal Justice graduates from YTI Career Institute-Altoona earn the most at $29,685, followed by Allied Health at $25,496. All programs at the school lead to below-average starting salaries compared to other career training options.
How much debt will I have after graduating from YTI Career Institute-Altoona?
Students pay around $18,131 per year at YTI Career Institute-Altoona, leading to significant debt for programs that typically take 1-2 years. With graduate earnings around $30,000, loan payments will consume a large portion of income.
Does YTI Career Institute-Altoona have good job placement?
YTI Career Institute-Altoona has a 95% graduation rate, but graduate earnings data shows most alumni earn less than $30,000 annually. High completion rates don't guarantee financial success after graduation.