Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Charleston

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,229

Est. from WV median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$33,345

Est. from national median (101 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in West Virginia, healthcare administration graduates at this level typically earn around $39,000 in their first year—about $5,000 below the national median for this credential. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $33,000 in debt, which translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85. While that's manageable compared to truly troubled programs, it means your graduate would be dedicating a significant portion of early-career income to loan payments rather than building savings or financial stability.

The broader concern is that West Virginia's healthcare administration market appears to lag behind other states substantially. Peer programs across the state cluster in this same $35,000-$39,000 range, suggesting this isn't a University of Charleston issue but a regional reality. Nationally, similar programs produce median earnings of $44,000—nearly 12% higher. If your child is committed to staying in West Virginia, this program aligns with local outcomes. But if they're geographically flexible, pursuing this degree elsewhere could mean starting with several thousand more dollars annually, which compounds significantly over a career.

The University of Charleston's estimated debt load is slightly higher than both the state and national medians for this field, though not dramatically so. For a family, the question becomes whether the regional employment connections justify the full cost when other WV public institutions likely offer similar outcomes at lower price points.

Where University of Charleston Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health and medical administrative services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in West Virginia

Health and Medical Administrative Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in West Virginia (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of CharlestonCharleston	$32,842	$39,229*	—	$33,345*	—
West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyBeckley	$8,064	$39,229*	—	$30,000*	0.76
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown	$9,648	$39,229*	—	$30,000*	0.76
Fairmont State UniversityFairmont	$8,454	$35,741*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$44,345*	—	$30,998*	0.70

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with health and medical administrative services graduates

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

$103,960/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Charleston, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in WV. Actual outcomes may vary.