Health Professions
Health Professions graduates earn $68,245 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,984 and $89,146. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
About Health Professions
This page covers Health Professions 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 is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $68,245 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 270 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 7,387 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $38,099
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $68,245
- Colleges Offering
- 270
- Graduates / Year
- 7,387
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $21,602
How Much Do Health Professions Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Health Professions, a typical graduate earns $68,245, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $47,984 and $89,146, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $38,099 at one year out to $68,245 by year four. 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.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
Above the national median for college graduates.
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Health Professions 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.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $68,245 and an estimated $86,408 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.
Based on outcomes from 143 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 7,387 students who complete Health Professions programs each year, the majority (57%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
What Can You Do With a Health Professions Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Health Professions graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Cardiologist pays the most at $496,010/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 Cardiologist earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.
Top Colleges for Health Professions
Not sure where to study Health Professions? 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 Quinnipiac University, and the rest follow the same measures.
| # | College | Graduates | Acceptance | Net Price/yr | Earnings 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT · Nonprofit | 284 | 72.2% | $40,675 | $83,759 |
| 2 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit | 266 | 14% | $39,949 | $63,268 |
| 3 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public | 184 | 85.3% | $25,648 | $54,810 |
| 4 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI · Public | 183 | 83% | $16,317 | $56,118 |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI · Public | 181 | 87.8% | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| 6 | Boise State University Boise, ID · Public | 160 | 87.2% | $21,610 | $51,658 |
| 7 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit | 140 | 88.8% | $29,689 | $86,881 |
| 8 | Gannon University Erie, PA · Nonprofit | 132 | 74.2% | $22,553 | $58,845 |
| 9 | Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee Muskogee, OK · Public | 111 | Open | $4,895 | $33,208 |
| 10 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public | 106 | 90.4% | $14,638 | $54,914 |
| 11 | Clemson University Clemson, SC · Public | 105 | 38.3% | $22,253 | $71,513 |
| 12 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA · Public | 102 | 93.1% | $15,699 | $52,416 |
| 13 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NY · Nonprofit | 102 | 85.8% | $14,072 | $52,055 |
| 14 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI · Public | 97 | 91.4% | $8,624 | $54,735 |
| 15 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public | 91 | 58.1% | $30,434 | $66,125 |
| 16 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN · Public | 89 | 86.2% | $15,983 | $44,859 |
| 17 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public | 88 | 87.5% | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| 18 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA · Nonprofit | 87 | 79% | $26,502 | $54,064 |
| 19 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ · Public | 86 | 77.7% | $22,408 | $59,988 |
| 20 | Long Island University Brookville, NY · Nonprofit | 84 | 86.2% | $33,062 | $59,950 |
Ranked by Health Professions 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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Health Professions 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 Professions Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Health Professions a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $68,245 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
- Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $38,099 at graduation to $68,245 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
- Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
- Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
- 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.
Health Professions Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Health Professions graduates earn?
What is the starting salary for a Health Professions degree?
What jobs can you get with a Health Professions degree?
How long does a Health Professions program take?
How many colleges offer Health Professions?
Is a Health Professions degree worth it?
What is the difference between Health Professions and Health?
What skills do employers look for in Health Professions graduates?
Is graduate school worth it for Health Professions graduates?
What is the job outlook for Health Professions graduates?
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