Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University's Health Services program starts graduates at the bottom of the national scale—just $24,692 in year one, landing in the 5th percentile nationally. That's roughly $10,000 below what similar programs typically produce. Within Alabama, the picture looks only marginally better: this program sits near the middle of the pack, but that's cold comfort when the state median itself is nearly $9,000 below the national figure.

The silver lining is significant earnings growth: graduates see their income jump 62% by year four, reaching $40,007. That's actually competitive with national norms and suggests the credential opens doors over time. The debt load of $28,989 is manageable—lower than most peers—and becomes less concerning as earnings rise. Still, that first year poses a real financial squeeze, with debt exceeding income by 17%.

For families considering this program, understand that you're accepting a difficult financial start in exchange for longer-term potential. If your student can manage the lean early years (perhaps living at home or working part-time), the trajectory improves meaningfully. But South University-Montgomery demonstrates that Alabama students can start $12,000 higher right out of the gate. Unless Jacksonville State offers specific program features or affordability advantages that matter to your family, that initial earnings gap is hard to ignore.