Health and Medical Administrative Services at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State's health administration program starts slowly but builds momentum—first-year graduates earn just $37,911, landing in the 16th percentile nationally. However, by year four, earnings jump 38% to $52,157, significantly outpacing both the national median ($44,345) and North Carolina's median ($38,406). Within the state, this places graduates around the middle of the pack initially, but the strong growth trajectory suggests these grads are moving into better roles faster than peers at most competing programs.

The $24,125 debt load is notably lighter than both national ($31,000) and state ($26,000) averages, making the initial earnings lag easier to weather. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio means new graduates owe roughly eight months of salary—manageable for a healthcare administration position with clear advancement potential. The relatively low cost of attendance matters when you're starting at under $38,000.

For students planning to stay in North Carolina's healthcare market, this program offers reasonable value: modest debt paired with strong mid-career earnings growth. The first year will be tight financially, but graduates who stick with healthcare administration appear to move into supervisory or specialized roles that command significantly better pay. Just be prepared for a slower start than top programs like UNC-Chapel Hill, which nearly doubles Appalachian's first-year outcomes.