Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Spalding University

Spalding's Health Services program trails most Kentucky alternatives by a significant margin. At $33,822 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $4,100 less than the typical Kentucky grad in this field—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. For perspective, Northern Kentucky University's health services graduates earn nearly $60,000, while Western Kentucky grads start around $42,000. Even among the ten Kentucky schools offering this degree, Spalding sits below the middle of the pack.

The debt picture looks more manageable on paper—$27,675 is close to the national median and slightly above Kentucky's typical debt load. But when you're earning 11% less than Kentucky peers, even moderate debt becomes harder to manage. The 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it reflects the reality that you're taking on similar debt for notably lower returns. About a third of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are making this choice on tighter budgets where every earnings dollar matters.

One important caveat: this data comes from a small graduating class (under 30 students), so individual circumstances could vary widely. Still, the consistent pattern—below-median earnings both statewide and nationally—suggests families should carefully compare alternatives. If your child is set on staying in Louisville, understanding why graduates here earn less than at comparable Kentucky programs would be essential before committing.