Health and Medical Administrative Services at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola's health administration graduates start at $58,000 annually—30% above the national median and 25% above the Illinois median for this program. While not quite matching University of St. Francis (the state leader at $83,000), Loyola ranks in the 80th percentile statewide and crushes the 95th percentile nationally. The $23,000 debt load is notably lower than both the national ($31,000) and state ($28,000) medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that suggests graduates can manage repayment comfortably.

The earnings trajectory strengthens the case: graduates see 26% income growth by year four, reaching $73,000. This isn't a program where early salaries plateau—it's building toward mid-career healthcare administration roles. With Chicago's robust healthcare sector (including multiple major hospital systems), location matters here. Loyola's urban setting provides direct access to employers who hire these graduates into operational management positions.

The moderate sample size means individual cohorts could vary somewhat, but the overall pattern is clear: you're paying slightly below-average debt for significantly above-average outcomes. For students interested in healthcare's business side but not clinical work, this delivers strong ROI without the stress of six-figure debt loads common in other healthcare programs.