Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Clarkson College

The estimated first-year salary of $35,279 falls significantly short of what similar health sciences bachelor's programs typically produce in Nebraska, where the state median sits at $47,496. That's a concerning $12,000 gap—roughly 25% lower than what peer programs achieve locally. While the estimated $27,000 in debt aligns with both state and national norms for this field, earning power matters more than manageable debt when you're trying to launch a healthcare career in a competitive market.

National benchmarks suggest this program's outcomes cluster at the lower end of what health sciences degrees deliver. Three-quarters of comparable programs nationally produce first-year earnings above $35,279, with the top performers reaching nearly $40,000. In Nebraska specifically, Creighton's graduates start at $47,496—substantially higher than what data from similar programs would predict here. That suggests location alone doesn't explain the earnings difference; program quality and professional networks likely play significant roles in where graduates land their first positions.

For an anxious parent, the practical question is whether $27,000 in debt makes sense when comparable Nebraska programs appear to open doors to better-paying positions from day one. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 isn't catastrophic, but it's less attractive when peer programs in the same state suggest your child could be earning 35% more right out of college. Before committing, you'd want to understand what specifically accounts for this program's below-state-average outcomes and whether those factors matter for your child's career goals.