Health and Medical Administrative Services at Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State's healthcare administration program delivers below-average early earnings but manages to keep debt reasonable relative to what graduates can repay. At $34,613 in the first year, graduates earn about $10,000 less than the national median for this degree and fall below most Georgia competitors. However, the debt load of $32,239 is actually lower than Georgia's median of $39,807 for this program, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. The 16% earnings growth to $40,111 by year four helps close the gap, bringing graduates closer to the state median.

The context matters here: Middle Georgia State serves a predominantly working-class population (41% Pell recipients) with open admissions, and students likely benefit from lower tuition costs that translate to less debt than peers at private competitors like Reinhardt or South University. While this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it sits at the 40th percentile within Georgia—suggesting it's a middle-of-the-pack option for in-state students rather than an outlier.

For Georgia families prioritizing accessibility and manageable debt over maximizing starting salary, this program offers a viable path into healthcare administration. But students with stronger academic credentials or the ability to relocate should compare carefully against higher-earning alternatives, even within the state.