Analysis
Based on comparable programs in Georgia, Mercer's health administration bachelor's would carry about $29,650 in debtβnotably lower than the state median of nearly $40,000 for similar programs. That's a meaningful advantage when your graduate's first-year earnings are estimated around $39,200, putting debt at just 76% of that first year's income. For context, several GA programs in this field show earnings in the low-to-mid $40,000s, suggesting Mercer graduates could land in a similar range, though the exact outcomes for this specific program remain unclear due to insufficient reporting data.
The challenge is that health administration salaries in Georgia lag behind the national median of $44,345, and Mercer's estimated figures track with that lower state average rather than outpacing it. Given Mercer's selectivity (average SAT of 1280) and private-school resources, you might reasonably hope for outcomes closer to what Reinhardt University achieves ($49,073), but we simply don't have program-specific data to confirm that trajectory. The relatively modest debt load provides some cushion if earnings don't exceed state norms.
The lower debt is the program's clearest advantage hereβit keeps the financial risk manageable even if first-year earnings stay near state averages. Before committing, confirm what percentage of Mercer's health administration graduates secure positions in higher-paying healthcare systems versus smaller medical offices, as that placement pattern matters considerably in this field.
Where Mercer University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,890 | $39,231* | β | $29,648* | β | |
| $28,420 | $49,073* | β | $26,413* | 0.54 | |
| $17,488 | $43,316* | $50,285 | $54,705* | 1.26 | |
| $13,416 | $40,754* | β | $52,813* | 1.30 | |
| $2,944 | $40,393* | β | β* | β | |
| $18,238 | $39,722* | $40,160 | $55,123* | 1.39 | |
| National Median | β | $44,345* | β | $30,998* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates
Information Security Analysts
Medical and Health Services Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Computer Programmers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
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 Mercer University, approximately 33% 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 13 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.