Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at George Washington University

The $26,917 first-year earnings from George Washington's post-baccalaureate health preparatory certificate should raise immediate questions about return on investment. While this program lands exactly at the national median for similar certificates and performs slightly above the DC median (60th percentile), those benchmarks themselves are concerning—graduates are earning barely above poverty wages despite taking on $25,567 in debt at one of the country's most expensive universities. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 means students owe nearly a full year's salary, which is particularly problematic given these low absolute earnings.

The critical context here is what post-bacc health programs are designed to do: they're typically bridge programs for career changers or students strengthening applications to medical or dental school. If your child uses this as a stepping stone to professional school and completes that path, these first-year earnings become irrelevant. But if they don't continue their education—whether by choice or because they're not accepted to their next program—they'll be stuck with substantial debt and earnings that may not even cover basic living expenses in Washington, DC.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty, but it doesn't change the fundamental question: Is this certificate worth the cost if it doesn't lead to graduate school admission? Unless your child has a clear path to and commitment for continued professional training, this is an expensive gamble.