Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Bryant University

A $27,000 debt load against estimated first-year earnings of $39,502 creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.68—manageable by education financing standards, but this sits at a selective private institution where most students come from families who don't qualify for Pell grants. Similar health sciences bachelor's programs in Rhode Island produce earnings in the mid-to-high $30,000s, which means you're looking at entry-level health sector work, not immediate clinical roles that command higher salaries.

The concern here isn't necessarily the debt burden relative to earnings—comparable programs nationally carry similar debt for similar outcomes. It's whether Bryant, known primarily for business programs, offers the clinical connections and specialized training that lead to advancement in health services. The estimated $39,502 starting salary matches the state median but trails the national 75th percentile by just $160, suggesting this field has a relatively narrow earnings range regardless of where you study.

For parents weighing this investment: you're financing a degree at a business-focused university for a health sector career that typically starts in the high $30,000s. If your child is set on health services and considering Bryant for campus culture or location, these numbers suggest the financial outcome won't be dramatically different from less expensive in-state options. But if they're exploring health sciences as one of several interests, the program's small size (hence the suppressed data) raises questions about resources and placement networks you'd want answered before committing.