Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Lees-McRae College

Based on comparable health sciences programs nationally, this bachelor's degree appears to produce first-year earnings around $35,279—notably below what similar programs across North Carolina typically deliver. The state median sits at $39,502, meaning peer institutions are seeing graduates earn roughly $4,200 more in their first year. For a relatively accessible program at a small private college serving a substantial Pell-eligible population, this gap matters.

The estimated $27,000 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77, which falls within manageable territory by federal standards. However, the broader concern is whether graduates are positioned competitively in North Carolina's health sector. The earnings estimate comes from national patterns rather than this specific program's outcomes, and given that most NC health sciences programs outperform the national median, there's meaningful uncertainty about whether Lees-McRae's graduates match even these baseline expectations.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether this program provides the clinical training, placement networks, and credentialing needed to access higher-paying positions in North Carolina's health market. The debt load itself isn't alarming, but the estimated earnings suggest graduates may start behind peers from other state programs—a difference that compounds over early career years.