Health and Medical Administrative Services at Howard University

Howard's health administration program carries $27,000 in debt—slightly below the national median but substantially above the DC average of $22,250—while producing estimated first-year earnings around $44,345 based on national peer programs. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, manageable but not exceptional. The real concern emerges when comparing to DC's healthcare administration market: Georgetown's graduates in this field earn $74,354, nearly 70% more than what similar programs nationally suggest Howard graduates might expect.

By year four, earnings climb to $53,492, a solid trajectory that improves the debt picture considerably. For a field focused on healthcare operations and management, this growth pattern makes sense as graduates move from entry-level coordinator roles into supervisory positions. The question is whether Howard's DC location translates into stronger local placement than the national benchmark suggests, or whether graduates face the same competitive disadvantage that shows up in the comparison with Georgetown.

The fundamental uncertainty here matters: we don't have Howard's actual outcomes, only what comparable programs across the country typically produce. For parents investing in a selective HBCU known for professional networks and institutional prestige, this program could outperform the estimates—or it could lag behind other DC options. The $27,000 debt load is reasonable enough that the program won't be financially ruinous, but families should verify Howard's specific placement rates in DC's healthcare systems before assuming this program delivers on its geographic advantage.