Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Muskingum University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 suggests manageable borrowing—based on comparable health science programs in Ohio, graduates would owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary. That's slightly above the national median debt for this field ($26,690), while estimated earnings align almost perfectly with both state and national medians around $35,800. For a bachelor's degree in health services, this represents solid middle ground, though it's worth noting the wide variation among Ohio programs: some graduates from similar credentials earn nearly double these figures, while others earn less.

The challenge is that "health services" encompasses everything from clinical roles to administrative positions, and career trajectories vary dramatically depending on licensure, specialization, and local healthcare demand. Similar programs in Ohio typically lead to entry-level positions in health administration, community health, or clinical support roles rather than direct patient care positions like nursing or respiratory therapy, which command higher starting salaries. The estimated debt load is reasonable if this degree serves as either a direct path to employment or a stepping stone to graduate programs in public health, healthcare administration, or clinical fields.

Given that 41% of Muskingum students receive Pell grants, many families will be weighing whether this investment makes sense for students who may need to start earning quickly. The estimated figures suggest workable debt, but confirm whether the specific concentration—health informatics, community health, pre-professional track—aligns with your child's career goals and the regional job market they plan to enter.