Health Professions at Pacific University

With earnings around $38,500 and debt near $27,000 based on national patterns for health professions bachelor's programs, Pacific University's numbers suggest a manageable but modest financial start. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 falls within reasonable bounds—your child could theoretically pay off loans within a year of gross earnings—but that first-year salary will feel tight in the Portland metro area where many Oregon health professionals work. Health professions is a broad umbrella that includes everything from health administration to community health workers, so outcomes vary significantly based on the specific career path pursued.

The real challenge here is uncertainty. As the only bachelor's-level health professions program reporting in Oregon, and with too few Pacific graduates to generate school-specific data, you're navigating with limited visibility. The 92% admission rate and modest test scores suggest this isn't a highly selective program, which doesn't necessarily predict poor outcomes but does mean the student body's ambition and preparation will vary widely. If your child is pursuing a licensure path (like health information management or clinical specialties), those credentials matter far more than the bachelor's degree itself. Ask the program directly about their graduates' licensure pass rates, job placement in specific roles, and typical salary progression—those concrete metrics will tell you much more than these broad estimates can.