Analysis
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.
Where Long Island University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Long Island University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | $31,153 | $49,589 | +59% |
| Excelsior University | $52,631 | $83,502 | +59% |
| St. John's University-New York | $35,973 | $53,575 | +49% |
| State University of New York at Cortland | $39,217 | $51,495 | +31% |
| St. Francis College | $38,342 | $42,483 | +11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Long Island UniversityBrookville | $41,642 | $31,153 | $49,589 | $25,000 | 0.80 |
 Excelsior UniversityAlbany | — | $52,631 | $83,502 | $31,251 | 0.59 |
 State University of New York at CortlandCortland | $8,815 | $39,217 | $51,495 | $26,995 | 0.69 |
 St. Francis CollegeBrooklyn | $27,570 | $38,342 | $42,483 | $25,500 | 0.67 |
 St. John's University-New YorkQueens | $50,110 | $35,973 | $53,575 | $27,000 | 0.75 |
 Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry | $22,106 | $30,546 | $42,352 | $28,000 | 0.92 |
| National Median | — | $38,492 | — | $26,000 | 0.68 |
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 Long Island University, approximately 19% 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 98 graduates with reported earnings and 168 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.