Health Professions at Long Island University

Long Island University's Health Professions bachelor's starts weak but shows impressive momentum. First-year graduates earn just $31,153—bottom quartile nationally and well below New York's $37,158 state median. However, earnings jump 59% by year four to nearly $50,000, eventually surpassing both the national and state medians for this field. This suggests graduates may begin in entry-level or part-time health roles before advancing into better-paying positions.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable and slightly below state norms, making that difficult first year more bearable. The debt-to-earnings ratio improves dramatically as salaries climb. Still, the early-career earnings gap is real—compare that $31,153 to Excelsior University's $52,631 or SUNY Cortland's $39,217 for graduates at the same stage.

This program rewards patience. If your child can handle tight finances in their early twenties (living at home, taking a second job, or receiving family support), the trajectory looks solid by year four. But students who need immediate financial independence after graduation should think carefully about whether they can weather those lean initial years. The strong later earnings suggest the degree itself has value—you're just buying into a slower launch.