Health and Medical Administrative Services at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Louisiana-Lafayette's Health and Medical Administrative Services program lands at an awkward intersection: its $38,098 starting salary puts graduates $6,200 below the national median for this degree, ranking in just the 17th percentile nationally. Within Louisiana, the picture is slightly less concerning—it's exactly at the state's middle-of-the-road performance—but that's partly because Louisiana's healthcare administration programs collectively underperform the national market. Louisiana Tech graduates start $6,400 higher with the same degree, which compounds significantly over time.

The $26,949 debt load offers some relief, coming in below both state and national averages for this program. However, that 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio still means graduates are carrying about nine months' worth of salary in loans. The 18% earnings growth to $44,856 by year four helps close the gap with national peers, but starting behind means playing catch-up for years. For a field where healthcare facilities compete for skilled administrators across state lines, entering the job market with below-average credentials creates an uphill battle.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether the lower tuition cost justifies the earnings deficit. If your child can secure admission to Louisiana Tech or is willing to consider out-of-state options with stronger placement records, the extra investment typically pays off within a few years. The Lafayette program isn't prohibitively expensive, but it's delivering below-market results in a field where starting position matters.