Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College's Health Sciences program stands out nationally but faces stiffer competition closer to home. First-year graduates earn $45,769—outperforming 88% of similar programs nationwide but landing right at the Massachusetts median. With just $9,080 in typical debt, students face one of the lowest financial burdens in the field, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 that beats 86% of comparable programs. That combination of solid earnings and minimal debt is particularly valuable for the 60% of students here who receive Pell grants.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, with graduates seeing 19% income growth to $54,420 by year four. Within Massachusetts, this program performs in the middle of the pack—Northern Essex tops the state at over $50,000, while Roxbury's numbers match the state median exactly. What matters more for most families: Roxbury delivers outcomes far above the $32,798 national median while keeping debt well below the national figure of $12,992.

For students seeking an affordable entry into allied health careers, this program works. You're paying about $3,000 less in debt than the national average while earning $13,000 more right out of the gate. That's a strong financial foundation, even if it won't put you at the top of Massachusetts' earnings ladder.