Analysis
Campbell graduates this bachelor's program with $20,750 in debt—actually below both national and state medians for health professions degrees. That's the good news. The challenge is what comes next: peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $38,500, which sits well below the $56,900 that similar programs in North Carolina typically produce.
That gap matters. While the debt load is reasonable, North Carolina's health professions market appears stronger than what comparable national programs deliver. UNC Wilmington's health professions graduates, for instance, earn nearly $18,000 more in their first year—enough to make debt repayment substantially easier. Whether Campbell's program prepares students for the higher-earning opportunities within the state, or whether graduates typically start at the lower national baseline, isn't clear from available data.
For parents, this means asking specific questions: What exactly do Campbell health professions graduates do in their first jobs? Do they stay in North Carolina where earning potential seems higher? The debt won't crush anyone at under $21,000, but if your child ends up at the lower national earnings estimate rather than accessing North Carolina's stronger health professions market, repayment will take longer than it should for a degree from a state with better-paying opportunities.
Where Campbell University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (3 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Campbell UniversityBuies Creek | $40,410 | $38,492* | — | $20,750 | — |
 University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington | $7,317 | $56,924* | $64,596 | $24,990 | 0.44 |
| 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 Campbell University, approximately 33% 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.