HEALTH
+4.4%Biology
The gateway to pre-med, research, and biotech careers — biology covers cells, organisms, genetics, and ecosystems, with strong graduate school pathways.
HEALTH
Health
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Health
Every clinical and administrative healthcare career starts here — nursing, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, dentistry, and public health administration. Graduates earn a national median of $61,296 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 3,924 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 964,272 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $61,493
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $61,296
- Colleges Offering
- 3,924
- Graduates / Year
- 964,272
- Specializations
- 26
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $22,329
Is a Health Degree Right for You?
$61,296
Median earnings · 4yr
+4.1%
10yr job growth
26
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~2.9
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $61,296 after 4 years. Against an estimated $89,316 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Health Majors Earn?
Health graduates start at a median $61,493 one year out and reach $61,296 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 3,924 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$61,493
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$61,296
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$71,726
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Health specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $116,539/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $36,371/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$36,371
Lowest
$61,296
Median
$116,539
Highest
What Can You Do With a Health Degree?
Career Paths for Health Graduates
Health connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Cardiologist leads in median earnings at $496,010/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Cardiologist
Doctoral or professional degree
$496,010
↗ +4.1% growth
Radiologists
Doctoral or professional degree
$420,860
↗ +2.7% growth
Anesthesiologists
Doctoral or professional degree
$391,490
↗ +3.2% growth
Orthopedic Surgeons
Doctoral or professional degree
$358,550
↗ +4.1% growth
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Doctoral or professional degree
$335,550
↗ +2.7% growth
Dermatologists
Doctoral or professional degree
$328,730
↗ +6.4% growth
Physicians
Doctoral or professional degree
$312,400
↗ +4.2% growth
Ophthalmologists
Doctoral or professional degree
$300,080
↗ +4.3% growth
Health Specializations
Health breaks into 31 specializations. Earnings range widely from $36,371 to $116,539 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Health
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Health graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Addison, IL · For-Profit
Acceptance
82.6%
Net price/yr
$31,837
Earnings 10yr
$92,405
Grad rate
50%
2
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,258
Earnings 10yr
$37,186
Grad rate
15%
3
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit
Acceptance
78.9%
Net price/yr
$22,472
Earnings 10yr
$42,186
Grad rate
42%
4
Ultimate Medical Academy
Clearwater, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$20,457
Earnings 10yr
$29,194
Grad rate
61%
5
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX · Public
Acceptance
79.9%
Net price/yr
$13,951
Earnings 10yr
$63,199
Grad rate
55%
6
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle, IL · For-Profit
Acceptance
98.4%
Net price/yr
$30,770
Earnings 10yr
$45,987
Grad rate
20%
7
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99.5%
Net price/yr
$36,708
Earnings 10yr
$50,318
Grad rate
30%
8
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
97%
Net price/yr
$30,498
Earnings 10yr
$39,696
Grad rate
41%
9
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance
43.2%
Net price/yr
$9,812
Earnings 10yr
$57,743
Grad rate
68%
10
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance
40.1%
Net price/yr
$10,411
Earnings 10yr
$58,308
Grad rate
55%
11
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
73.2%
Net price/yr
$30,371
Earnings 10yr
$59,209
Grad rate
60%
12
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH · Public
Acceptance
85.3%
Net price/yr
$25,648
Earnings 10yr
$54,810
Grad rate
49%
13
Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH · Public
Acceptance
85%
Net price/yr
$21,637
Earnings 10yr
$52,581
Grad rate
54%
14
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public
Acceptance
88.2%
Net price/yr
$18,749
Earnings 10yr
$54,501
Grad rate
54%
15
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
16
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · Public
Acceptance
58.2%
Net price/yr
$24,406
Earnings 10yr
$74,479
Grad rate
73%
17
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
18
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
19
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance
6.4%
Net price/yr
$18,809
Earnings 10yr
$87,555
Grad rate
87%
20
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
85.2%
Net price/yr
$39,545
Earnings 10yr
$125,557
Grad rate
77%
Ranked by number of Health graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Health Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Health degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Health degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Health Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Health tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 6 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $61,296 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.4% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
- Wide availability Offered at 3,924 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $116,539, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
CONS
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 964,272 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
- High variance across specializations The gap between the lowest-paying ($36,371) and highest-paying ($116,539) specializations is large. Choosing a lower-demand track significantly reduces expected returns.
Health Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Health graduates earn?
Health graduates earn a national median of $61,296 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Health degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Health degree holders is $61,493 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Health degree?
Health degree holders work in a range of careers. Cardiologist is one of the top roles by median wage ($496,010/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Health?
3,924 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Health, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Health degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $61,296 and an average net price of roughly $22,329/yr across institutions offering this major, a Health degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Health degree?
Most bachelor's programs in Health take four years, though some specializations include clinical hours or prerequisites that extend the timeline. Associate degree programs at community colleges typically take two years.
What skills do employers look for in Health graduates?
Employers hiring Health graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, evidence-based decision-making, and regulatory compliance. Licensure, certifications, or supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Health graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy, MD) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Health graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Health graduates is moderate, with an average of +4.0% projected growth across related occupations. Dermatologists is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.4%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
The Most Common Majors vs the Most Lucrative
The five most-awarded majors graduate 2.9 million students a year, yet only one of them cracks the top five by pay. Popularity and paychecks barely overlap.
- Most common majors
- Major earnings
- Completions
- Popular degrees
- Major pay gap
-
The Nursing-School Effect, Why Health Colleges Dominate the Earnings Charts
Health and nursing-named colleges earn 27 percent above the average school, and hospital-run nursing schools turn that into the steepest returns in the data.
- Nursing schools
- Health colleges
- Earnings
- College ROI
- Registered nurse
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.