Analysis
Similar health professions bachelor's programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $38,500—a figure that should concern parents when paired with an estimated $27,000 in debt. This 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in uncomfortable territory: not disastrous, but requiring careful monthly budgeting when loan payments kick in. For context, the national debt benchmark for these programs is $26,000, meaning this estimate aligns with typical borrowing levels.
The challenge with Saint Joseph's program is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer institutions, since actual graduate outcomes aren't available. Comparable programs across the country show considerable variation, with top performers reaching $47,800 in first-year earnings—$9,000 more than the national median. Whether Saint Joseph's falls above or below that median matters enormously for graduates managing monthly loan payments on healthcare salaries that often start modest.
Without reported data, you're essentially betting on how this small Maine college stacks up against its peers. The tight first-year earnings forecast leaves little room for the program to underperform peer institutions while still delivering reasonable financial outcomes. If your student is drawn to health professions, push the school for concrete placement statistics and alumni earning data before committing. You need evidence that justifies the debt load when the Department of Education's own figures remain suppressed.
Where Saint Joseph's College of Maine Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Health Professions bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish | $42,834 | $38,492* | — | $26,972* | — |
 Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton | $6,638 | $72,628* | $68,341 | $19,018* | 0.26 |
 Kettering CollegeKettering | $15,672 | $70,890* | $58,053 | $37,613* | 0.53 |
 Saint Joseph's University - LancasterLancaster | $31,866 | $70,566* | — | $27,801* | 0.39 |
 University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington | $7,317 | $56,924* | $64,596 | $24,990* | 0.44 |
 Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown | $10,791 | $56,793* | $57,659 | $29,750* | 0.52 |
| 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine, approximately 20% 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.