Median Earnings (1yr)
$29,678
5th percentile (25th in PA)
Median Debt
$26,000
At national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.88
Manageable
Sample Size
17
Limited data

Analysis

La Roche's Health Professions bachelor's leaves graduates earning $29,678 their first year out—about $11,000 below Pennsylvania's median for this degree and in just the 5th percentile nationally. That's concerning even with the small sample size caveat, especially since the $26,000 median debt translates to a challenging 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, Pennsylvania grads from similar programs typically earn $40,682, and the state's top performers like Saint Joseph's Lancaster campus see starting salaries above $70,000.

The narrow gap between what La Roche charges in debt and what graduates initially earn means loan payments will likely strain a typical post-grad budget. While health professions degrees generally offer strong long-term career prospects, these first-year earnings suggest graduates may be entering lower-paying healthcare roles—possibly administrative or support positions rather than clinical ones—which could limit advancement opportunities compared to peers.

If your child is specifically interested in health professions at La Roche, dig deeper into exactly which careers recent graduates have entered and whether the program leads to licensure or certification in a specific field. The combination of below-average earnings and median-level debt suggests this program isn't competitive with other Pennsylvania options for return on investment.

Where La Roche University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally

La Roche UniversityOther health professions programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How La Roche University graduates compare to all programs nationally

La Roche University graduates earn $30k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all health professions bachelors programs nationally.

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (16 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
La Roche University$29,678—$26,0000.88
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster$70,566—$27,8010.39
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus$44,545—$25,2390.57
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$36,819$70,368$26,5760.72
National Median$38,492—$26,0000.68

Other Health Professions Programs in Pennsylvania

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Lancaster
$31,866$70,566$27,801
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh
$21,524$44,545$25,239
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$51,340$36,819$26,576

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At La Roche University, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 36 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.