Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Los Angeles Pacific University

Los Angeles Pacific graduates earn solidly above the national median ($42,012 vs. $35,279) and just slightly above California's median ($40,057), but that performance comes at a steep price. With $46,639 in typical debt—more than double the national median and two-and-a-half times the California median—this program lands in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. That means 95% of similar programs nationwide saddle students with less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.11 means graduates owe roughly their entire first year's salary, creating a challenging financial starting point even with above-average earnings. Compared to California State alternatives like Sacramento or Fresno, which produce similar earnings with dramatically less debt (around $18,786 statewide), the premium pricing here is difficult to justify. Nearly half the students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families taking on this debt have limited financial cushion.

For middle-income families weighing this program, the core question is whether any specific advantages—location, class size, career services—are worth an extra $28,000 in debt compared to California's public university options. The earnings performance is respectable but not exceptional enough to offset the substantial debt disadvantage. Unless there's a compelling personal reason for this particular school, California's public alternatives offer similar outcomes with far less financial risk.