Analysis
In New Jersey, Health Professions bachelor's programs show striking variation—Rowan's peers range from $49,000 to $72,000 in first-year earnings, with the state median at $61,000. Rowan's estimated figure of $38,500, derived from national benchmarks since their graduate sample was too small to report, falls well below what similar New Jersey programs typically deliver. The $21,500 in debt is manageable in absolute terms and sits below the state median, but paired with earnings estimates that align with national rather than New Jersey standards, the value calculation becomes trickier.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 suggests graduates could manage repayment, but that assumes the national benchmark accurately reflects Rowan's outcomes. Health Professions is an umbrella category that can include everything from health administration to clinical support roles, and career trajectories vary enormously depending on the specific concentration and licensure requirements. If Rowan's program leans toward lower-paying health services roles rather than clinical positions, the national estimate may be accurate—but if graduates typically enter New Jersey's higher-paying healthcare market, actual outcomes could exceed these figures significantly.
Given the gap between state and national earnings benchmarks, you'll want to dig into which specific health profession tracks this program feeds into and what recent graduates are actually doing. The debt burden won't sink anyone, but understanding whether typical outcomes match New Jersey's robust healthcare market or national norms will determine whether this represents solid preparation or leaves money on the table.
Where Rowan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,700 | $38,492* | — | $21,500 | — | |
| $6,638 | $72,628* | $68,341 | $19,018 | 0.26 | |
| $17,239 | $49,150* | — | — | — | |
| National Median | — | $38,492* | — | $26,000 | 0.68 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Rowan University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.