Health and Medical Administrative Services at Francis Marion University

Francis Marion's Health and Medical Administrative Services program produces starting salaries nearly $13,000 below the national median for this field—landing graduates in just the 5th percentile nationally. That $31,583 first-year salary is troubling for any bachelor's degree, but it's especially concerning when paired with $31,000 in debt. Your child would be starting their career with debt nearly equal to their entire first-year salary, making those monthly loan payments a significant burden on an already modest income.

The state context offers limited consolation. While this program ranks at the 40th percentile among South Carolina's health administration programs, that primarily reflects how affordable the degree is relative to competitors like Limestone ($42,566 in debt). However, even within South Carolina, graduates from South University-Columbia and Coastal Carolina earn $8,000-$10,000 more annually. The financial challenge becomes clearer when you consider that healthcare administration roles typically require professional polish and networking—difficult to maintain when you're stretching a $31,000 salary to cover loan payments, rent, and basic expenses.

If your child is set on healthcare administration in South Carolina, compare total costs carefully against Coastal Carolina's outcomes. Better yet, consider whether a two-year healthcare program followed by work experience might offer a smarter financial path into the field than this particular bachelor's degree.