Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

The $19,480 first-year earnings from UT Health Science Center's Communication Disorders program sit well below the national median of $24,702, landing in just the 13th percentile nationally. However, Tennessee's context matters here: this is actually the median for the state's three programs in this field, suggesting the local job market for bachelor's-level communication disorders graduates may simply pay less than other regions. The debt load of $22,500 is roughly average, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.16—manageable but not impressive.

The real concern is what these numbers likely represent. Communication disorders programs at the bachelor's level often serve as stepping stones to graduate school for speech-language pathology, where the real earning potential lies. If your child plans to continue immediately to a master's program (which is required for licensure as an SLP), these first-year earnings may reflect temporary employment or part-time work during graduate applications. But if they're considering working with just the bachelor's degree, these earnings are quite low for the debt incurred.

The extremely small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could shift dramatically year to year. Before committing, clarify whether this program is designed as a direct route to employment or primarily as preparation for graduate school, and plan your family's budget accordingly.