Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 puts this Health Professions bachelor's in manageable territory—based on comparable programs nationally, graduates can expect to earn about $38,500 in their first year while carrying roughly $25,000 in debt. That's less than one year's salary, which generally allows for reasonable repayment timelines. However, California programs in this field typically produce lower debt loads, with the state median closer to $18,750, suggesting CSU East Bay students may be borrowing more than peers at other California schools.
The real question is trajectory. Health professions is an extremely broad category encompassing everything from health administration to clinical support roles, and first-year earnings in the high $30,000s represent the floor, not the ceiling. Similar programs show significant variation—some graduates at the 75th percentile nationally earn nearly $48,000—but career progression depends entirely on the specific concentration and whether additional credentials or licenses follow. For a school with a 97% admission rate serving a largely Pell-eligible population, accessibility matters, but so does understanding which health career path your student is actually pursuing within this umbrella degree.
Given the limited program-specific data, dig into what concentrations or specializations CSU East Bay offers within this major. The difference between health informatics, community health education, and pre-clinical tracks will determine whether these estimated outcomes represent a realistic snapshot or just a starting point before graduate school.
Where California State University-East Bay Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (11 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,055 | $38,492* | — | $24,990* | — | |
| $7,064 | $37,856* | $44,340 | $13,000* | 0.34 | |
| National Median | — | $38,492* | — | $26,000* | 0.68 |
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 California State University-East Bay, approximately 44% 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 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.