Health and Medical Administrative Services at Tennessee Wesleyan University

Healthcare administrative roles typically require specialized knowledge but don't command the premium salaries of clinical positions, and Tennessee's market reflects this reality. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $39,500—about $5,000 below the national median for this degree. That gap matters when you're carrying debt approaching $35,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 sits in uncomfortable territory. It's not catastrophic, but it means your child would owe nearly a full year's gross salary before taxes and living expenses. Peer programs in Tennessee show considerable variation, with King University graduates earning $50,600 while Miller-Motte grads start closer to $35,000. This range suggests that institutional reputation and connections matter significantly in healthcare administration hiring.

The practical concern here is limited financial flexibility early in the career. At $39,500, your child would face meaningful constraints on where they can afford to live and how quickly they can pay down that debt. Tennessee Wesleyan serves a population where 38% receive Pell grants, so many families are already stretching financially. Before committing, examine whether comparable programs at institutions like King or Trevecca—which appear to produce stronger outcomes—might be accessible, even if their sticker prices run higher.