Health and Medical Administrative Services at South University-Montgomery
Bachelor's Degree
southuniversity.eduAnalysis
South University-Montgomery's health administration program carries one of the highest debt loads you'll find in Alabama—nearly $55,000, which is 44% above the state median and among the worst nationally for this degree. Meanwhile, graduates earn around $40,000, placing this program squarely in the middle of Alabama's offerings but below the national typical. For context, Auburn graduates in the same program earn $5,000 more annually while likely carrying substantially less debt.
The financial math here is particularly tough: graduates owe roughly 16 months of gross income, and earnings barely budge over the first four years. With 70% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on college to improve financial circumstances, yet this debt burden could delay that goal significantly. The program does serve students who need access to bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration in Montgomery, but the cost structure creates real obstacles.
If your child is set on this field in Alabama, compare carefully against Auburn or UAB, where outcomes appear stronger for similar or lower costs. For students already in Montgomery who need to stay local, understand that this degree will require aggressive debt management—potentially making early loan payments a priority over other financial goals for several years after graduation.
Where South University-Montgomery Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How South University-Montgomery graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| South University-Montgomery | $39,722 | $40,160 | +1% |
| Auburn University | $45,291 | $61,483 | +36% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | $40,285 | $51,637 | +28% |
| Columbia Southern University | $51,692 | $50,101 | -3% |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | $39,231 | $45,666 | +16% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (11 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18,238 | $39,722 | $40,160 | $55,123 | 1.39 | |
| $5,808 | $51,692 | $50,101 | $38,210 | 0.74 | |
| $12,536 | $45,291 | $61,483 | $25,750 | 0.57 | |
| $8,832 | $40,285 | $51,637 | $28,460 | 0.71 | |
| $13,420 | $39,231 | $45,666 | $47,375 | 1.21 | |
| National Median | — | $44,345 | — | $30,998 | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates
Information Security Analysts
Medical and Health Services Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Computer Programmers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
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 South University-Montgomery, approximately 70% 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 156 graduates with reported earnings and 251 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.