What is Pima Medical Institute Known For?
The Pima Medical Institute, founded in 1972, is a trade school that offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees both in-person and online. The nationally-accredited institution provides a variety of courses focused solely on healthcare and training for careers in healthcare.
Pima Medical Institute is known for its advantageous hands-on experience based-education led by renowned instructors, enabling students to hit the ground running in their careers.
In addition to providing students with quality education, Pima Medical Institute offers clinical externships, providing them with opportunities to become even more competitive applicants to professions in the healthcare field.
Is it Legit?
The Pima Medical Institute is nationally accredited and boasts many state- and program-specific accreditations. The institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Specific Pima Medical Institute campuses also offer specific accreditations, including regional ones. For example, the Albuquerque, New Mexico campus is licensed by the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s Private Postsecondary Schools Division. In addition, the Albuquerque campus is approved by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Workforce Investment Act, and the Department of Economic Security.
Pima Medical Institute features program-specific accreditation; for example, the Physical Therapist Assistant program, offered at select campuses, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Other programs, such as Pima’s Nursing program, also feature accreditations by relevant organizations, further cementing the institute’s status as a highly-renowned and recognized institution.
Is Pima Medical Institute Worth It?
The Pima Medical Institute offers students a competitive, cutting education that gives them a head start when preparing for and pursuing their careers in healthcare. Pima Medical alums laud the institute’s expedited degree pathways, allowing them to get hired earlier and earn more.
The institution additionally provides distance education programs, offering students with busy schedules the same advantage to get ahead. With quality on-campus facilities distinguished for their safety and advantageous clinical externship opportunities for students, the Pima Medical Institute is a quality institution for prospective healthcare workers seeking an education that caters to their drive for success.
Pima Medical Institute vs. Community College
The Pima Medical Institute offers certificate diplomas and Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees–encompassing program levels far beyond community colleges’ traditional offerings of primarily Associate’s degrees. The employee-owned, private educational institution prides itself on educating students to become career-ready through its hands-on curriculum.
Students graduate from the Pima Medical Institute ready to make a difference in health care. On the other hand, community college graduates typically take longer to complete degree programs of the same level and may require additional education before pursuing a career.
The institution has additionally offered students nearly 1 million in institutional aid; in contrast, most community colleges typically only award students federal financial assistance and scant institutional grants.
Through Pima’s expedited degree programs and emphasis on career readiness, students of the Pima Medical Institute graduate with both professional and personal advantages far beyond the traditional student.
Acceptance Rate
The Pima Medical Institute has an acceptance rate of 100%.
Cost Per Year
On average, annual tuition for students at the Pima Medical Institute ranges between $17,305 and $25,549 for students of all degree levels, including graduate programs. Tuition varies depending on the year and specific program. In addition, the Pima Medical Institute allows students to reside on one of their many campuses.
Room and board typically cost around $12,000 annually, including meal plans. This brings the annual cost of attendance for residential students to between $29,305 and $37,549. Nearly 90%–up to 96%, on some campuses–of Pima Medical Institute’s students receive financial aid.
The institution accepts federal loans and grants and takes military benefits as well.
School Catalog
A copy of the school catalog can be found here.
School Hours
Pima Medical Institute campuses are available from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 5 PM on Fridays. Distance learning students can access their online coursework 24/7, and online student services, including technical support and career advising, are available by email.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- Healthcare Admin
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Nurse Aid
- Patient Care Tech
- Pharmacy Tech
- Phlebotomy Tech
- Practical Nursing
- Radiography
- Sterile Processing Tech
- Surgical Tech
- Sonography
Dental
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygiene
Veterinary
- Vet Assistant
- Vet Tech
Campus Locations
Mesa (East Valley) 2160 S. Power Road Mesa, AZ 85209
Mesa 957 S. Dobson Road Mesa, AZ 85202
Phoenix 13610 N. Black Canyon Highway Phoenix, AZ 85029
Tucson 2121 N. Craycroft Road, Bldg 1, Tucson, AZ 85712
San Diego 780 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista, CA 91910
San Marcos 111 Campus Way San Marcos, CA 92078
Aurora 13750 E. Mississippi Ave Aurora, CO 80012
Colorado Springs 5725 Mark Dabling Boulevard, Suite 150 Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Denver 7475 Dakin Street Denver, CO 80221
Dillon 434 E. Poindexter Street Dillon, MT 59725
Las Vegas 3333 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89121
El Paso 6926 Gateway Blvd E. El Paso, TX 79915
Houston 11125 Equity Drive, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77041
San Antonio 6550 First Park Ten Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78213
Renton 555 S. Renton Village Place Renton, WA 98057
Student Services
Pima Medical’s devoted student services team is always ready to aid students as they navigate potential challenges throughout their academic path. They present a holistic range of guidance and tools, molding students into capable medical professionals.
Academic Planning
Pima Medical ensures every student receives the support needed to make education a top priority. This assistance is particularly essential for the institute’s first-generation college attendees.
Tutoring
For students seeking extra academic support, Pima Medical organizes on-campus tutoring sessions, ensuring comprehension in every subject.
ADA Compliance
Believing that every student deserves success, Pima Medical instructs students on accessing the necessary accommodations to foster their academic achievements.
Food Assistance
With a belief that students’ focus should be on their studies, Pima Medical provides access to community food resources and maintains a food pantry on each campus.
Housing Assistance
While Pima Medical doesn’t offer on-site housing, they have curated resources to guide students in their search for accommodations nearby.
Mental Health Support
Through a partnership with AllOne Health, Pima Medical extends a Student Assistance program, giving students the opportunity for mental health counseling and 24/7 support via a dedicated app.
Career Services
The Institution supports students in their professional growth and ensures that graduates receive assistance in job placement and career advancement.
Their committed team of career services experts possesses an array of resources designed to benefit both current students and alumni. The support extends well beyond graduation, accompanying them throughout their professional trajectories. These resources comprise:
Professional Growth Initiatives
Throughout their academic journey, students can attend workshops orchestrated by the Career Services department. These sessions cover a gamut of professional topics ranging from crafting compelling cover letters and resumes to honing interview skills and effective networking tactics.
Externship Coordination
The Career Services division oversees the externship placements, typically serving as the concluding course for a majority of students before they graduate. The Institution has fostered collaborations with over 15,000 employers, facilitating authentic, on-the-job training during the externship and clinical phases of their programs. Due to these robust alliances, numerous employment avenues open up for the Institution’s graduates. In fact, many graduates secure positions with the very employers who supervised their clinical externships.
Job Placement Support
Upon successful completion of their courses, the Career Services unit steps in to offer job placement support. Available to every graduate, this assistance encompasses aid in job placements, crafting of cover letters, resume building, and polishing interview techniques.
Veteran and Military Services
The Institution has received approval to provide specified degree programs tailored for veterans’ training. Those interested in veterans’ benefits can obtain applications either directly from the Institution or by reaching out to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs holds the responsibility for approving the allocation of training benefits. Any student seeking veterans’ benefits through the Institution is required to present proof of high school completion or a GED certificate. Additionally, any postsecondary education from an accredited institution must be validated with an official college transcript.
Alumni Services
Once a student completes their studies at Pima Medical, the role of Career Services doesn’t end. From resume guidance to networking and job placement opportunities, Pima Medical views Career Services as a lasting pledge to their alumni, extending well beyond their graduation day. Pima provides a dedicated internet portal for alums at https://alumni.pmi.edu/
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Pima Medical Institute – Mesa is a highly-regarded school known for its intensive, career-focused medical programs and supportive staff. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with students consistently praising the quality of instruction and post-graduation success. The primary concern is the high cost and one serious issue regarding program accreditation.
Overall Score: 4.6/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Career Outcomes and ROI: Graduates report immediate success, passing board exams, and quickly landing their “dream job.” One graduate noted achieving a six-figure salary, stable employment, and career flexibility after completing the Respiratory Therapist (RT) program.
Outstanding and Dedicated Instructors: The teaching staff is frequently described as the “best I have ever had,” “attentive,” and “incredibly helpful.” Instructors set high standards but provide the necessary support to ensure students meet them, creating a successful, professional, and family-like learning environment.
Strong Specific Programs: The Respiratory Therapy (RT) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs receive specific and continuous high praise for being “thorough,” “straightforward,” and having an “outstanding reputation” among local hospitals.
Supportive and Easy Enrollment Process: Students consistently praise the staff in admissions and student finance for being kind, patient, and informative, making the process of getting started “smooth and very helpful.”
Welcoming and Growth-Oriented Environment: Despite the fast-paced, high-intensity learning, students find the environment to be safe, welcoming, and entirely focused on student success, with multiple avenues for assistance.
Common Criticisms
High Cost of Tuition: The cost is acknowledged as “a bit pricey” and not a “cheap option.” While many graduates feel the cost is justified by the career success and quality of education, the price point is a definite barrier for some.
Nursing Program Accreditation Warning: A highly detailed, serious criticism warns prospective students that the nursing program is not accredited by national organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). This is a critical factor for transferability and employment at certain institutions.
Occasional Disorganization: One reviewer felt the high tuition was not matched by the organization, calling the expensive program “disorganized” and likening the experience to a “group project where no one reads the instructions.”
Momentum
The positive momentum is strong and sustained, with numerous new five-star reviews within the last month focusing on the quality of the instruction and the supportive campus environment. The school’s reputation for the RT and PTA programs remains excellent. However, the school’s high price and the critical, unresolved issue regarding Nursing Program accreditation stand out as major factors that prospective students in that specific field must weigh carefully against the otherwise glowing reviews.