Health Sciences graduates earn $61,296 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 12.7%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Community Health Workers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Health Sciences 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 Sciences is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $61,296 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 882 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 35,887 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
$34,897
Median Earnings · 4yr
$61,296
Colleges Offering
882
Graduates / Year
35,887
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,909
How Much Do Health Sciences Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Health Sciences, a typical graduate earns $61,296, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $42,849 and $82,291, 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 $34,897 at one year out to $61,296 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$61,296
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$59,777
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Health Sciences 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.
$42,84925th pct.
$61,296Median
$82,29175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $61,296 against an estimated $55,636 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 466 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 35,887 students who complete Health Sciences programs each year, the majority (59%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
32%59%
Bachelor's59%
Associate's32%
Master's4%
What Can You Do With a Health Sciences Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Health Sciences graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Health Education Specialists pay the most at $64,070/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
High school diploma or equivalent7,000 openings/yr62K employed nationally
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingWritingService Orientation
Day-to-day responsibilities
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
Top Colleges for Health Sciences
Not sure where to study Health Sciences? 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 Health Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Health Sciences is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Health Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Health Sciences shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $61,296 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $34,897 at graduation to $61,296 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +12.7% over the next decade, with Community Health Workers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 13,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost 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 expectedTop 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 Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Health Sciences graduates earn?
$61,296 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $42,849 and $82,291, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Health Sciences degree?
$34,897 in the first year out. That grows to $61,296 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 Sciences degree?
Health Education Specialists are one path, and it pays a median of $64,070 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 Sciences program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Health Sciences bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Health Sciences?
882 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 Sciences degree worth it?
$61,296 median earnings four years out against $13,909 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 Sciences and Health?
Health Sciences is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Health Sciences-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 Sciences graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Health Sciences 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 Sciences 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 Sciences graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +9.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Community Health Workers are among the strongest-growth roles at +12.7%. 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.
Related Health Programs
Other programs in Health. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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