Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Maryville College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 sits right at the threshold where health sciences graduates typically begin feeling financial strain, and that's assuming the national estimates hold for Maryville's specific program. What makes this picture more uncertain: similar programs in Tennessee show considerably lower first-year earnings—the state median is just $26,734, which would push that debt burden significantly higher relative to starting pay. If Maryville's outcomes track closer to state patterns than national ones, graduates could be managing $27,000 in debt on earnings barely above $2,200 monthly before taxes.

The broad "Health Services" designation matters here. This bachelor's degree encompasses everything from health information management to community health coordination—careers with vastly different salary trajectories. Programs leading directly to licensure (nursing, respiratory therapy) typically justify the debt load; general health sciences degrees intended as pre-professional preparation often don't. With one-third of Maryville students receiving Pell grants, the financial margin for error shrinks considerably for families already stretching budgets.

Before committing, determine exactly what credential or career entry point this degree provides. If it's a stepping stone to graduate school rather than a terminal degree, factor in additional years of debt. If it leads to immediate employment, verify whether Maryville's graduates secure positions closer to the $35,000 national estimate or Tennessee's more modest reality.