Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Radford University

Based on comparable health sciences programs in Virginia, Radford's bachelor's degree appears positioned right at the state median, with first-year earnings around $36,600 and debt near $24,800. That 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate roughly eight months of their first year's salary to loan repayment—manageable, though not exceptional. What's worth noting is that Radford's estimated debt runs about $2,200 below the Virginia median and $1,900 below the national benchmark, potentially reflecting the university's 35% Pell-eligible population and relatively accessible admission profile.

The challenge with health sciences bachelor's degrees is their breadth: this credential can lead to everything from health administration roles to prerequisites for advanced clinical training. Similar programs in Virginia show significant variation—from Marymount's notably lower outcomes to programs matching Radford's estimated range—suggesting that specific career pathways within the field matter considerably. For students planning to pursue graduate degrees in fields like physical therapy or physician assistant studies, this becomes a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential, and keeping undergraduate debt in the mid-$20,000s matters more than first-year earnings.

The real question is whether your student has a clear pathway from this degree to a specific career. If they're eyeing graduate school or have identified roles where this credential opens doors, the estimated financial picture suggests reasonable preparation costs. If the plan remains fuzzy, that uncertainty compounds when the earnings data itself comes from peer institutions rather than Radford's actual track record.