Health and Medical Administrative Services at Oakwood University

Similar health administration programs in Alabama suggest first-year earnings around $40,285—slightly below the national median of $44,345 for this field. That puts Oakwood roughly in line with what UAB graduates earn, though notably behind Auburn and Columbia Southern. The estimated debt of $33,345 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83, which is manageable compared to many bachelor's programs but represents nearly a full year's salary before taxes.

The challenge here is visibility. With Oakwood serving a primarily Pell-eligible student body (47%), affordability matters enormously, yet we're working entirely with estimates because the graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That's not necessarily a red flag—small programs can be excellent—but it does mean families are making this decision without the transparency available at larger programs. Peer institutions in the state show meaningful variation, from Herzing's $39,231 to Columbia Southern's $51,692, suggesting that program quality and connections significantly impact where graduates land in healthcare administration.

If your child is drawn to Oakwood's environment and mission, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing. But given the uncertainty, reach out directly to the school's career services office and ask pointed questions: Where do recent graduates work? What's their actual job placement rate? Do they help students access internships at Huntsville's healthcare employers? The answers will tell you whether this small program punches above its weight or simply lacks the scale to deliver competitive outcomes.