Analysis
The estimated $27,000 debt load sits close to national norms for health sciences bachelor's programs, but the projected first-year earnings of roughly $38,000—drawn from peer Kentucky programs—reveal a tighter financial picture than many families might expect. Similar programs across the state show enormous variation, from nearly $60,000 at Northern Kentucky University down to under $20,000 at UK, suggesting that curriculum focus and clinical partnerships matter enormously in this field. Asbury's estimated outcomes land in the middle of that Kentucky range, tracking slightly above the national median.
That 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe about 71% of their first year's salary, a manageable but not trivial burden that requires careful budgeting in those early career years. Health sciences is a broad umbrella—encompassing everything from health administration to community health—and the wide earnings spread among Kentucky schools hints that specific program concentration drives outcomes more than the degree itself. Without reported data from Asbury's actual graduates, it's hard to know whether this program feeds into higher-paying clinical roles or lower-earning administrative positions.
Before committing, dig into what specific careers this degree prepares students for and whether those align with the higher or lower end of Kentucky's earnings spectrum. The estimated figures suggest reasonable value if the program leads to clinical certifications or graduate school preparation, but less compelling economics if it's primarily a generalist health degree.
Where Asbury University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health services/allied health/health sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,640 | $37,934* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $10,896 | $58,970* | $65,376 | $29,875* | 0.51 | |
| $11,436 | $42,045* | $40,769 | $25,000* | 0.59 | |
| $27,850 | $33,822* | — | $27,675* | 0.82 | |
| $13,212 | $19,370* | — | $23,000* | 1.19 | |
| National Median | — | $35,279* | — | $26,690* | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health services/allied health/health sciences graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Asbury University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.