Health and Medical Administrative Services at Ferris State University

Ferris State's health administration program lands solidly in the middle of the pack nationally, but performs better within Michigan—ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 20 programs. With first-year earnings of $44,371 and debt of $31,000 (a 0.70 ratio), graduates face reasonable but not exceptional starting conditions. The program sits just below top state performers like Davenport ($52,603) but ahead of half the competition, including Eastern Michigan and Baker College.

The trajectory here matters: earnings climb 15% to $51,123 by year four, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that translate to career advancement. This isn't a fast-track to high income, but it's steady growth in a healthcare field that values administrative expertise. For a school with an 81% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, these outcomes represent accessible healthcare career entry without crushing debt.

The value proposition depends on your child's goals. If they're interested in healthcare but not direct patient care, this provides a legitimate pathway with manageable financial risk. However, if they can gain admission to Davenport, the $8,000 higher starting salary would justify exploring that option—it would recover any additional costs quickly. For students who want to stay in Michigan and work in healthcare administration, Ferris delivers dependable middle-tier results at a price point that won't derail their financial future.