Analysis
The trajectory tells a striking story: similar Health Professions programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $40,682, but four years later, Marywood graduates earn $109,158—a 168% jump that points to graduates entering fields with strong salary progression, likely physician assistant or similar advanced-practice roles. That $25,125 in debt looks entirely manageable against this earnings profile, representing just seven months of fourth-year income.
The caveat matters here: these figures blend estimates from peer Pennsylvania programs with actual reported outcomes from Marywood, so there's less certainty about the complete picture than you'd get from a program with full data disclosure. What we know for sure is that Marywood's program leads to outcomes strong enough that fourth-year earnings more than double national and state medians for Health Professions bachelor's degrees. The debt burden sits squarely in the middle nationally—not exceptional, but not alarming either.
For families comfortable with some uncertainty in the early-earnings estimate, the pattern suggests Marywood's program channels students into high-earning health careers that justify the investment. The key question isn't whether the debt is manageable—it clearly becomes so—but whether your child can navigate to the specific roles (likely requiring additional certification or training beyond the bachelor's) that produce those fourth-year earnings. If the program delivers what similar Pennsylvania programs suggest, you're looking at a worthwhile investment with debt that becomes negligible as graduates advance in their careers.
Where Marywood University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marywood University | — | $109,158 | — |
| Excelsior University | $52,631 | $83,502 | +59% |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | $36,819 | $70,368 | +91% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $47,570 | $69,530 | +46% |
| Thomas Edison State University | $72,628 | $68,341 | -6% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,570 | $40,682* | $109,158 | $25,125 | — | |
| $31,866 | $70,566* | — | $27,801 | 0.39 | |
| $21,524 | $44,545* | — | $25,239 | 0.57 | |
| $51,340 | $36,819* | $70,368 | $26,576 | 0.72 | |
| $33,120 | $29,678* | — | $26,000 | 0.88 | |
| 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 Marywood University, approximately 29% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.