Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Point Loma Nazarene University

Based on comparable programs in California, Point Loma's health sciences degree appears to fall squarely in the middle of the market, with estimated first-year earnings around $40,000—matching the state median but trailing the top CA programs by $15,000 or more. The estimated $28,000 debt load is notably higher than California's median of $18,786 for these programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's workable but not impressive for a field where many graduates work in clinical support roles with limited early salary growth.

The comparison with California's public universities is telling. Similar programs at CSU campuses produce graduates earning $42,000-$47,000 annually while typically carrying less debt, suggesting that Point Loma's private school premium may not translate to better employment outcomes in this field. The gap with National University's $55,679 median is particularly wide—that's nearly $16,000 more in annual earnings, which could make a substantial difference when servicing comparable debt loads.

For a family considering this investment, the question comes down to whether Point Loma's specific educational environment—smaller classes, faith-based community, San Diego location—justifies paying more for outcomes that peer data suggests will be similar to or slightly below what California's public alternatives deliver. The financial picture isn't prohibitive, but it doesn't offer the kind of earnings advantage that would clearly offset the higher debt burden.