Health Professions at Metropolitan State University of Denver

A first-year salary around $38,500 against roughly $25,000 in debt creates a manageable starting position—the debt amounts to about eight months of gross earnings, which falls within reasonable bounds for healthcare fields. Based on comparable health professions bachelor's programs nationally, these figures suggest a workable financial picture, though it's worth noting that the specific outcomes for Metro State's graduates aren't publicly available due to small sample sizes.

The challenge lies in understanding exactly what "health professions" encompasses here. This broad designation could mean anything from health information management to clinical support roles, and career trajectories vary dramatically depending on the specialization. Programs centered on direct patient care or specialized technical skills typically command higher salaries faster, while administrative or generalist tracks may start lower but offer different advancement paths. Metro State's open-admission model and strong representation of Pell recipients suggest the program serves students who might not access healthcare careers elsewhere, which has value beyond pure earnings potential.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable, but you'll need to dig into the specific concentration or track your student would pursue. The earnings figure represents a national median across very different healthcare roles, so understanding Metro State's program structure—and talking to current students about actual job placements—becomes essential for determining whether this particular program aligns with your student's goals and earning expectations.