Health and Medical Administrative Services at University of Houston-Clear Lake

This program delivers strong returns while keeping debt remarkably low. At $18,025 in median debt, UH-Clear Lake charges roughly half what the typical Texas school does for this degree—only 5% of comparable programs nationwide manage lower debt levels. That matters because administrative roles in healthcare rarely command six-figure salaries; starting around $47,000 means this debt can realistically be paid off within a few years rather than becoming a long-term burden.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, with graduates seeing 12% income growth by year four and reaching $53,000. While that doesn't match the top programs in Texas (Baptist Health System tops $66,000), it sits comfortably above both state and national medians for healthcare administration. Among Texas programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile—respectable, not elite. For a school with 75% admission rates serving a heavily Pell-eligible population, that's actually impressive performance.

The practical calculation here favors enrollment. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, graduates typically owe less than half their first-year salary, making this degree financially manageable even if career growth proves modest. For families prioritizing affordability in healthcare management education, this combination of below-average costs and above-average outcomes represents genuine value rather than a bargain that compromises career prospects.