Analysis
Norfolk State's health administration bachelor's appears positioned at the center of Virginia's healthcare admin market, with similar programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $43,300โclose to the national median for this degree. While some Virginia programs like Radford and James Madison report stronger outcomes above $50,000, those comparisons come with uncertainty since Norfolk State's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes.
The estimated debt load of $26,600 works in this program's favor. That's notably lower than both Virginia's typical debt for this major ($45,100) and the national median ($31,000), putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.61โa manageable level that suggests graduates could realistically handle loan payments on entry-level healthcare administration salaries. Given that 62% of Norfolk State students receive Pell grants, keeping debt relatively contained matters significantly for families without financial cushions.
The practical reality: healthcare administration is a stable career path with room for growth, and if the peer program estimates hold true here, your child would enter a field earning roughly what comparable Virginia programs produce. The lower debt estimate makes this more viable than it might be at pricier alternatives. However, the lack of school-specific data means you're betting on Norfolk State matching its state peers rather than knowing with certainty what this particular program delivers. If possible, connect with recent graduates or the career services office to understand actual job placement before committing.
Where Norfolk State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,910 | $43,316* | โ | $26,592* | โ | |
| $12,286 | $55,861* | โ | $30,000* | 0.54 | |
| $13,576 | $53,913* | $63,346 | $21,118* | 0.39 | |
| $21,222 | $43,578* | โ | $33,345* | 0.77 | |
| $17,488 | $43,316* | $50,285 | $54,705* | 1.26 | |
| $18,238 | $39,722* | $40,160 | $55,123* | 1.39 | |
| National Median | โ | $44,345* | โ | $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 Norfolk State University, approximately 62% 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 7 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.