Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Cottey College

Based on comparable health services programs across Missouri, Cottey's graduates can expect first-year earnings around $36,430—roughly on par with the state median but trailing Missouri's top programs by $5,000 to $8,000. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $26,250 in debt, which translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. While this ratio sits in reasonable territory (less than one year's salary), it's worth noting that larger state universities like Missouri State and Mizzou appear to deliver stronger earning potential in this field, likely due to broader clinical networks and more specialized health science tracks.

The real question is whether Cottey's distinctive environment—a small women's college with a 66% admission rate and notable support for first-generation students (45% receive Pell grants)—justifies potentially settling for median outcomes rather than reaching for the higher earnings at larger institutions. The estimated debt load isn't alarming, but it's not particularly favorable either, especially when Missouri State graduates reportedly earn 22% more right out of the gate. For students who thrive in intimate academic settings or need the support structure a smaller college provides, these numbers work. For those focused purely on return-on-investment in health services, Missouri's flagship and regional universities show stronger earnings trajectories that could make managing similar debt loads considerably easier.