Health Professions at Fort Hays State University

Starting at $38,492 in expected first-year earnings—the national median for health professions bachelor's programs—this Fort Hays State program pairs with an estimated debt load of roughly $25,000. That 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within a manageable range, suggesting graduates from comparable programs nationwide can typically cover their debt on entry-level health sector salaries. For context, the field itself shows considerable variation, with top-performing programs nationally producing graduates who earn nearly $48,000 in their first year, about 24% more than the median.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only three health professions bachelor's programs in Kansas and no reported outcomes data for any of them, parents have limited visibility into how Fort Hays State specifically prepares graduates compared to its in-state peers. The estimates draw from national patterns across dozens of similar programs, which can mask important differences in clinical placement quality, alumni networks, or regional employer relationships that directly affect job prospects. Health professions is also a broad umbrella—program outcomes vary significantly depending on whether students concentrate in health administration, community health, pre-professional tracks, or other specializations.

The bottom line: the estimated debt burden appears reasonable relative to typical starting salaries in this field, but parents should dig into exactly what concentration or track their student would pursue and where Fort Hays State graduates from that specific path actually land jobs. The school's 92% admission rate and accessible profile suggest it serves students well, but without program-specific outcomes, you're investing based on national averages rather than demonstrated results.