Health and Medical Administrative Services at Simpson College

Simpson College's health administration program carries an estimated debt load of $33,345—substantial for a field where similar programs nationally produce median first-year earnings of $44,345. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in uncomfortable territory: manageable if everything goes right, but offering little cushion for graduates entering administrative roles that typically start in the mid-$40,000s.

The Iowa comparison adds a wrinkle worth considering. Other health administration bachelor's programs in the state—like Upper Iowa and Waldorf—show graduates earning in the high $40,000s, suggesting the field supports decent entry-level salaries here. But they also carry higher debt loads (Iowa's median is $36,868), meaning Simpson's estimated debt actually looks relatively controlled for the region. The question becomes whether Simpson's outcomes align more closely with these Iowa peers or the somewhat lower national baseline we're using as a proxy.

For parents weighing this investment, the core challenge is the uncertainty itself. You're looking at roughly $310 in monthly loan payments against an estimated take-home of around $2,800—tight but workable. However, without actual graduate outcomes from Simpson, you're essentially betting that their results mirror the national pattern rather than Iowa's slightly stronger numbers. If your student has direct admission offers from Upper Iowa or similar programs with transparent outcomes, those provide clearer benchmarks for comparison.