Health Professions at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Saint Joseph's Lancaster health professions graduates earn $70,566 within a year—outperforming 95% of similar programs both nationally and statewide. That's nearly double Pennsylvania's median for this degree and $26,000 more than what graduates at the main Philadelphia campus earn. With debt of $27,801, the 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe just over a third of their first-year salary, making this one of the stronger financial outcomes in healthcare education.
The caveat here matters: these figures reflect fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could heavily influence the numbers. Still, the earnings gap is too substantial to dismiss as statistical noise. Whether through clinical partnerships in Lancaster's healthcare market, stronger career placement, or program focus on higher-paying specialties, something is working differently here than at most health professions programs.
For parents weighing this option, the financial case is compelling—assuming their child fits the program's admitted student profile and can benefit from whatever advantages are driving these outcomes. The modest debt load and exceptional early earnings create immediate financial breathing room that most health professions graduates don't get.
Where Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates compare to all programs nationally
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn $71k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all health professions bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (16 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster | $70,566 | — | $27,801 | 0.39 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $44,545 | — | $25,239 | 0.57 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | $36,819 | $70,368 | $26,576 | 0.72 |
| La Roche University | $29,678 | — | $26,000 | 0.88 |
| National Median | $38,492 | — | $26,000 | 0.68 |
Other Health Professions Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh | $21,524 | $44,545 | $25,239 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia | $51,340 | $36,819 | $26,576 |
| La Roche University Pittsburgh | $33,120 | $29,678 | $26,000 |
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 University - Lancaster, approximately 30% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.