Health and Medical Administrative Services at Cumberland University

Cumberland's healthcare administration bachelor's sits right at Tennessee's median for the field, with comparable programs suggesting around $39,500 in first-year earnings against roughly $34,700 in debt. That 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio falls into workable territory—you're looking at debt less than one year's salary, which is manageable for an entry-level administrative role. However, it's worth noting that similar programs at King University and Trevecca Nazarene produce noticeably higher starting salaries ($50,600 and $46,800 respectively), suggesting program quality varies significantly across Tennessee schools.

The national picture adds some perspective here. Healthcare administration programs nationwide typically produce $44,300 in median earnings with slightly lower debt ($31,000), meaning Tennessee programs—including this one—tend to run about $5,000 below the national earning standard while carrying slightly more debt. For a field where credentials and connections matter, that gap raises questions about whether Tennessee-based programs provide the same entry points into higher-paying administrative positions.

The practical question is whether Cumberland's program justifies taking on debt that matches the state median when peer schools demonstrate better outcomes are possible in this same market. Given the limited data available specifically for Cumberland, requesting outcomes information directly from their admissions office—particularly job placement rates and types of positions graduates secure—would be essential before committing.