Health and Medical Administrative Services at Excelsior University

Based on comparable healthcare administration programs in New York, Excelsior's online bachelor's degree generates estimated first-year earnings around $46,800—solidly at the state median but trailing the strongest programs by $10,000 to $17,000. The CUNY schools and Long Island University demonstrate that location and network matter significantly in this field, where landing that first administrative role often depends on clinical partnerships and proximity to major healthcare systems. Excelsior's online model serves working adults well for flexibility, but it may not provide the same employer connections that help graduates access higher-paying positions.

The estimated debt load of roughly $31,000 creates a manageable but not exceptional debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. Similar programs across New York typically carry slightly less debt (around $28,400), and the national picture mirrors what we see here. For a field where career advancement often requires years of experience climbing from coordinator to manager roles, starting with more debt means a longer runway before feeling financially stable. Healthcare administration pays better than many bachelor's-level fields, but it's not a quick path to high earnings.

The practical question: Is Excelsior's flexibility worth potentially entering the job market without the institutional connections that drive higher starting salaries? If your child is already working in healthcare and needs a degree to advance, this could accelerate their career. If they're starting fresh without industry contacts, programs with stronger employer pipelines might justify their similar costs.