Health Professions at California State University-Dominguez Hills

Cal State Dominguez Hills' Health Professions program delivers exactly what the state median suggests—middle-of-the-pack earnings with a crucial advantage in debt. First-year graduates earn $37,856, climbing to $44,340 by year four, placing this program at the 60th percentile among California's health professions programs. That's essentially average performance in a state with some of the nation's priciest living costs.

The real story here is debt management. At $13,000, graduates leave owing 30% less than the California median and half the national average for this degree. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can realistically pay this off within a year or two of focused repayment—a rare outcome in today's landscape. For families worried about burden, this matters more than the modest starting salary.

The 17% earnings growth over four years is solid but not spectacular, suggesting graduates find stable positions rather than rapid advancement. Given that 61% of students here receive Pell grants, this program appears to do its job: providing accessible healthcare credentials without the debt trap that derails many first-generation college graduates. If your child is passionate about health professions and wants to stay in California, this is a financially sensible choice, even if it won't launch them into top-tier earnings.