Health and Medical Administrative Services at Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist's healthcare administration program comes with estimated debt of $34,675—slightly above the national median—while peer programs in Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $39,451. That's a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88, meaning graduates would owe less than one year's salary. However, this estimated figure sits at the lower end of what Tennessee programs produce: King University reports actual earnings of $50,606, and even Trevecca Nazarene comes in at $46,784.

The challenge here isn't crushing debt but potentially underwhelming earning power. Similar programs nationally post median earnings of $44,345, nearly $5,000 above what Tennessee programs typically generate. For a field where healthcare employment is booming and administrative roles are expanding, starting below $40,000 raises questions about whether graduates are positioned for the stronger-earning positions in the field. The debt is reasonable only if those initial earnings grow meaningfully in years two and three.

Without actual graduate outcomes from Southern Adventist specifically, you're betting on their program performing like the state median rather than the state's top performers. Given that Tennessee has 13 programs in this field and King's graduates earn nearly 30% more right out of the gate, ask the school directly about their job placement specifics—what kinds of organizations hire their graduates, and what positions they're securing. The estimated numbers suggest adequate value, but not exceptional positioning in a competitive healthcare job market.