Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Lincoln University

Lincoln University's health sciences program lands right at Pennsylvania's median for earnings but carries debt levels that rank among the worst 5% nationally. For a family weighing this investment, that creates a challenging first-year picture: graduates earn $32,664 while carrying $34,375 in debt—more than a full year's salary. That's particularly concerning when programs at Temple and Messiah produce similar or lower earnings with substantially less debt burden.

The program does show two positives worth noting. First, while it underperforms the national median by about $2,600 annually, it matches typical Pennsylvania outcomes—a reflection of the state's generally lower healthcare wages compared to regions like California or Massachusetts. Second, earnings climb 10% by year four, reaching $35,974, which helps graduates chip away at that debt load. Still, this doesn't change the fundamental calculation: families are paying above-market prices (both in absolute terms and compared to in-state alternatives) for middle-of-the-pack career outcomes.

For parents of students committed to healthcare careers, this program could work if your child secures significant grant aid to bring that debt load down. Without it, though, this represents a poor value compared to what's available elsewhere in Pennsylvania. The 66% Pell grant rate suggests many families here are stretching financially—something to consider carefully given these debt-to-earnings numbers.