Health and Medical Administrative Services at South University-Savannah

South University-Savannah's health administration program saddles graduates with nearly $55,000 in debt—almost double the state median and among the highest debt loads nationally—while delivering earnings that barely edge above $39,000. That 1.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face about 17 months of gross income in student loans, a concerning burden for a field where starting salaries typically hover in the low-$40,000s. While this program actually outperforms the Georgia median slightly (60th percentile in the state), that's largely because health administration salaries across Georgia lag behind national norms by about $5,000.

The real warning sign is the debt combined with flat earnings growth—just a 1% increase over four years suggests limited advancement opportunities or career mobility. With 72% of students receiving Pell grants, many graduates here are first-generation college students who may be particularly vulnerable to this debt burden. Compare this to Reinhardt University, where graduates in the same field earn $49,000—nearly $10,000 more annually—which would make servicing that debt far more manageable.

If your child is drawn to healthcare administration, push them to consider programs with lower debt loads or stronger placement track records. This particular combination of high debt and modest earnings creates financial pressure that could limit their choices for years after graduation, especially if they're borrowing the full median amount.