Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Rutgers University-Camden

Rutgers-Camden's health sciences program starts slower than many families might expect—first-year earnings of $39,009 barely exceed the national average—but it's what happens next that matters. Within four years, median earnings jump 75% to $68,169, nearly double the typical starting salary. This trajectory suggests graduates are transitioning into specialized roles or advancing credentials, not staying in entry-level positions. Among New Jersey's 15 programs, Rutgers-Camden sits comfortably above the state median, trailing only its sister campus in New Brunswick.

The debt picture is straightforward: $26,664 is essentially the national norm for this field, translating to a manageable 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio even at the lower Year 1 salary. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, the campus serves a largely middle-income population that needs practical career outcomes, not aspirational degrees.

The value here depends on your patience. If your child needs immediate post-graduation earnings to manage loans aggressively, that $39,009 starting point requires careful budgeting. But if they can weather a modest first year—perhaps while pursuing licensure or certifications—the four-year earnings suggest this degree opens doors to genuinely well-compensated roles. For New Jersey residents paying in-state tuition, that's a reasonable trade-off.