Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,279
Est. from national median (156 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (80 programs)

Analysis

For a field built around career-focused healthcare training, that estimated $35,000 first-year salary looks surprisingly low—especially when peer programs in North Carolina typically produce earnings closer to $39,500. While the estimated $27,000 debt load sits near national norms and creates a manageable 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio, the real concern is whether these earnings estimates reflect what Cabarrus College graduates actually experience. The school's 49% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest a regional focus, which could mean either strong local healthcare employment connections or graduates competing at the lower end of the allied health job market.

What makes this particularly tricky is that we're working entirely from estimates—both the salary and debt figures are derived from comparable programs nationally, not actual outcomes for Cabarrus students. In a state where similar programs show higher typical earnings, this could indicate the estimates are conservative, or it might suggest Cabarrus graduates enter lower-paying segments of allied health (think medical assistants rather than respiratory therapists). The difference matters considerably: $4,000 annually compounds quickly over a career.

Before committing, you need to know specifics this data can't provide: which allied health concentrations does Cabarrus actually offer, what are their actual job placement rates, and where do graduates land? A bachelor's in this broad field can lead anywhere from diagnostic sonography (solid pay) to health information management (more modest). Without knowing which tracks this program emphasizes, you're making a decision in the dark.

Where Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health services/allied health/health sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord$16,070$35,279*$27,000*
Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte$40,408$39,502**
National Median$35,279*$26,690*0.76
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health services/allied health/health sciences graduates

Health Education Specialists

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.

$63,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Community Health Workers

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.

$51,030/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, approximately 28% 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 national median of 156 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.