Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at University of Dayton

The $25,669 debt load here sits just below state and national medians, but the estimated first-year earnings of $35,810 reflect a troubling reality: this broad health sciences bachelor's degree—whether from University of Dayton or its Ohio peers—doesn't command the same starting salaries as more specialized clinical credentials. When you're borrowing over $25,000 for earnings barely above $35,000, the monthly payment burden becomes real immediately after graduation.

What's particularly striking is the range among Ohio programs offering this degree. Mercy College of Ohio graduates earn an estimated $65,000 in their first year—nearly double the state median—suggesting that not all health sciences programs lead to the same career pathways. The substantial gap implies some schools pipeline graduates into higher-paying clinical roles while others may lead to administrative or support positions with more modest compensation. Without knowing exactly where University of Dayton's graduates land employment-wise, you're essentially betting on the lower end of that spectrum.

The practical question: can your child service roughly $280 monthly in student loan payments on a $36,000 gross salary while building toward better-paying opportunities? If this bachelor's is a stepping stone to graduate credentials in nursing, physician assistant studies, or health administration, the investment might pencil out. If it's a terminal degree leading directly to work, comparable programs suggest a tight financial start that won't ease quickly.