Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at North Park University

North Park's health sciences program stands out for an unusual combination: graduates earn more than 60% of similar Illinois programs while carrying significantly less debt than typical. With median debt of just $30,666—lower than 93% of programs nationally—students here are borrowing roughly $4,000 less than the Illinois median while out-earning larger programs like Wheaton College and UIC.

The 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about nine months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that should allow for steady loan repayment. First-year earnings of $40,374 exceed both the state and national medians by meaningful margins, suggesting North Park's Chicago location and professional networks are helping graduates land solid entry positions.

The major caveat here is the small graduating class size—fewer than 30 students means a single high or low earner can skew results substantially. These numbers could look quite different with next year's cohort. Still, the pattern of above-average earnings paired with below-average debt suggests North Park is delivering reasonable value, particularly for students who can access in-state tuition or institutional aid. For families focused on minimizing debt while maintaining competitive early-career earnings, this combination merits serious consideration despite the data limitations.