Health Professions at Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University's Health Professions program punches well above its weight class. With first-year earnings of $52,539—37% higher than the national median—graduates are out-earning peers at three-quarters of comparable programs nationwide. The relatively modest debt of $21,463 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.41, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within a year of focused repayment. For a school with a 97% admission rate, these outcomes are exceptional.

Within Missouri, this program sits at the median for earnings, which actually reinforces its value: the state has only six Health Professions programs, and Missouri Southern matches the state's typical performance at a fraction of what you'd pay at more selective institutions. The earnings plateau between year one and year four suggests graduates quickly reach stable career positions, likely in healthcare support or clinical roles that offer immediate, solid compensation rather than steep advancement curves.

The data here is reliable—over 100 graduates tracked—and the fundamentals are sound. Your child would enter a broad healthcare field with strong immediate earnings potential and manageable debt. If they're seeking healthcare career flexibility without the extended schooling of nursing or pre-med tracks, this represents a practical, affordable path that delivers results from day one.