Analysis
A health professions bachelor's degree typically costs around $25,000 in debt at this institution, based on CSU Pueblo's borrowing patterns for similar programs. Set that against first-year earnings of roughly $38,500—consistent with national outcomes for health professions graduates—and you're looking at a manageable debt load of about 65% of first-year income. That ratio suggests graduates could reasonably handle their loan payments, though the relatively modest starting salary means money will be tight in those early years.
The challenge here is specificity. "Health professions" is an umbrella term covering everything from health administration to clinical support roles, and earnings vary dramatically depending on the actual career path. National data shows the range runs from modest to quite strong, with top programs producing first-year earnings near $48,000. Without knowing whether CSU Pueblo's program leans toward higher-paying clinical tracks or lower-paying administrative roles, it's difficult to assess how competitive these outcomes really are.
What matters most is understanding exactly which health profession this degree prepares students for. If it's a stepping stone to graduate school for physical therapy or physician assistant programs, the bachelor's debt is just the beginning of the investment. If it's a direct path to employment in health services management or medical coding, these numbers suggest a workable financial outcome—not lucrative, but reasonable enough to justify the cost if the career fits your child's goals.
Where Colorado State University Pueblo Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Health Professions bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,401 | $38,492* | — | $24,990* | — | |
| $6,638 | $72,628* | $68,341 | $19,018* | 0.26 | |
| $15,672 | $70,890* | $58,053 | $37,613* | 0.53 | |
| $31,866 | $70,566* | — | $27,801* | 0.39 | |
| $7,317 | $56,924* | $64,596 | $24,990* | 0.44 | |
| $10,791 | $56,793* | $57,659 | $29,750* | 0.52 | |
| 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 Colorado State University Pueblo, 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 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.