Health and Medical Administrative Services at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration with estimated first-year earnings around $43,000 and projected debt of $26,500 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62—better than many healthcare programs nationally. The debt figure comes from comparing UMass Dartmouth's typical borrowing patterns across similar programs, while earnings estimates reflect what other Massachusetts schools in this field report for their graduates.

However, the range among Massachusetts programs is striking. Fisher College graduates earn an estimated $61,000 in their first year, while peer programs cluster closer to UMass Dartmouth's $43,000 estimate. This suggests that where you earn this degree—and perhaps the specific program's healthcare industry connections—matters significantly for early career outcomes. The national median of $44,345 provides some reassurance that Massachusetts figures aren't outliers, but parents should recognize these are baseline estimates, not guarantees.

The practical question is whether $43,000 starting pay justifies four years of bachelor's-level work when some two-year healthcare credentials offer similar or better initial returns. The answer depends partly on whether this degree opens management pathways that raise earnings over time—something these first-year figures can't capture. Given UMass Dartmouth's 92% admission rate and position as a public institution, families choosing this path should verify the school's specific placement rates with Boston-area healthcare systems and understand whether graduates typically need additional credentials to advance.