Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at DePaul University

DePaul's health sciences program asks students to be patient, and those who stay the course see real payoff. That first-year salary of $34,897 looks modest—barely matching the Illinois median—but by year four, graduates are earning $54,773, a 57% jump that suggests many are moving into supervisory roles or specialized positions. Among Illinois programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, meaningfully above the state median.

The debt picture strengthens the case here. At $27,000, graduates carry essentially average debt for this field, but with a first-year ratio of 0.77, they can manage payments even during those leaner early years. This is critical for health sciences graduates who often need certifications or additional training before reaching peak earning potential. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these aren't outliers—this trajectory appears consistent across DePaul's program.

For families willing to invest in a four-year timeline, this program delivers solid returns in a growing healthcare sector. The gap between year-one and year-four earnings suggests real career progression rather than a quick plateau. While students won't immediately outearn peers at North Park, they're building toward respectable mid-career salaries with manageable debt—a sustainable path into Chicago's substantial healthcare market.