HEALTH Specialization

Health Professions Education

Health Professions Education graduates earn $87,441 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 24.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Health Professions Education

This page covers Health Professions Education as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Health Professions Education is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $87,441 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 338 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 5,056 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$106,754
Median Earnings · 4yr
$87,441
Colleges Offering
338
Graduates / Year
5,056
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,713

How Much Do Health Professions Education Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Health Professions Education, a typical graduate earns $87,441, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $57,252 and $130,237, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$106,754
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.

$87,441
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$123,202
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Health Professions Education graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $87,441 against an estimated $90,852 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 36 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 5,056 students who complete Health Professions Education programs each year, the majority (79%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 79%
Bachelor's 8%
Post-Bacc Cert. 5%

What Can You Do With a Health Professions Education Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Health Professions Education graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Medical & Health Services Manager pays the most at $123,860/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Medical & Health Services Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +24.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$123,860
$95K $166K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 62,300 openings/yr 597K employed nationally
Speaking Critical Thinking Writing Monitoring Social Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

  • Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
  • Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
  • Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
↗ +17.9% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$107,310
$76K $210K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 24,900 openings/yr 221K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Critical Thinking Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
↗ +1.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$104,590
$81K $144K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 14,500 openings/yr 180K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

  • Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
  • Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
↗ +0.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$83,820
$64K $112K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,500 openings/yr 19K employed nationally
Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Writing Instructing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
↗ +2.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$80,260
$63K $105K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,800 openings/yr 20K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Instructing Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
↗ +17.1% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$80,250
$64K $101K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 8,500 openings/yr 78K employed nationally
Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory and clinic work, assignments, and papers.
  • Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
↗ +2.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$75,350
$54K $98K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 5,300 openings/yr 61K employed nationally
Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Active Listening Instructing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
↗ +6.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$70,770
$59K $90K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 800 openings/yr 9K employed nationally
Speaking Writing Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.

  • Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
  • Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.

Top Colleges for Health Professions Education

Not sure where to study Health Professions Education? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at The University of Texas at Arlington, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX · Public 174 79.9% $13,951 $63,199
2 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX · Public 106 86.8% $10,836 $57,131
3 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ · Public 66 87.9% $15,566 $61,415
4 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 66 4% $21,590 $102,491
5 Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit 61 3.7% $19,066 $101,817
6 Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit 59 5.7% $29,612 $97,800
7 Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit 55 51.3% $41,104 $65,793
8 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 51 81.6% $36,079 $71,530
9 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public 50 77.3% $19,604 $64,010
10 Temple University Philadelphia, PA · Public 42 80.4% $28,198 $63,727
11 Framingham State University Framingham, MA · Public 40 83.6% $16,114 $52,349
12 Texas Woman's University Denton, TX · Public 39 96.1% $11,963 $56,544
13 University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA · Nonprofit 39 22.2% $31,309 $76,178
14 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH · Nonprofit 38 36.5% $41,190 $87,989
15 Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT · Public 38 91.5% $20,857 $55,043
16 Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK · Public 38 99.6% $12,710 $45,379
17 Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences New York, NY · For-Profit 37 Open $29,688 $29,699
18 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX · Public 29 99.9% $9,403 $50,923
19 St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit 29 91.9% $19,764 $59,282
20 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public 27 85.3% $25,648 $54,810

Ranked by Health Professions Education graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Professions Education program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Health Professions Education Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Health Professions Education a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $87,441 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +24.2% over the next decade, with Medical & Health Services Manager among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 119,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $130,237, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Health Professions Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Health Professions Education graduates earn?
$87,441 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $57,252 and $130,237, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Health Professions Education degree?
$106,754 in the first year out. That grows to $87,441 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Health Professions Education degree?
Medical & Health Services Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $123,860 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Health Professions Education program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Health Professions Education students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Health Professions Education?
338 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Health Professions Education degree worth it?
$87,441 median earnings four years out against $22,713 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Health Professions Education and Health?
Health Professions Education is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Health Professions Education-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Health Professions Education graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Health Professions Education graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Health Professions Education graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Health Professions Education graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +8.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +24.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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