Health and Medical Administrative Services at Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University's healthcare administration program performs below both national and Texas benchmarks, with first-year graduates earning $40,077—about $4,000 less than the state median and landing in just the 27th percentile nationally. What's particularly concerning is that graduates here earn roughly $26,000 less than peers from Baptist Health System School of Health Professions and $16,000 less than those from UT Dallas, suggesting that school choice matters significantly in this field. At 40th percentile within Texas, this program sits squarely in the bottom half of state options.

The debt picture offers modest relief: at $26,975, graduates borrow about $5,000 less than the state median, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67. For a program serving a population where 40% receive Pell grants, this relatively modest borrowing matters. Graduates can reasonably expect to manage these loan payments, even if their earnings don't match top-tier programs.

The core question is whether below-average earnings are acceptable in exchange for lower debt. If your child needs an accessible program with straightforward admission (85% acceptance rate) and can't relocate, this provides a viable path into healthcare administration. But if stronger career outcomes are the priority, look at UT Dallas or University of Houston-Clear Lake—both offer significantly better earnings without dramatically higher debt loads.