Health and Medical Administrative Services at University of New Orleans

With estimated debt of $26,592 against first-year earnings around $39,200—what similar Louisiana programs produce—this bachelor's degree carries a manageable 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio. That puts graduates in a position to handle their loans while building a foundation in healthcare administration, though the starting salary trails the national median of $44,345 by about $5,000. The relatively lower debt burden helps offset the below-national earnings, creating a more balanced financial picture than the earnings alone might suggest.

The earnings estimate, drawn from three Louisiana programs in this field, reflects a state market where healthcare administrative roles appear to pay less than the national average. Louisiana Tech graduates in this major earn closer to the national figure at $44,468, suggesting location and institutional connections matter. Healthcare administration typically offers advancement potential as professionals gain experience managing departments or facilities, but that first year will require careful budgeting.

For families weighing this investment, the debt load is reasonable enough that loan payments shouldn't overwhelm entry-level healthcare administrative salaries. However, the gap between Louisiana's healthcare administration market and national benchmarks means graduates may need to consider out-of-state opportunities or plan for several years of career building before seeing stronger returns. The 40% Pell grant rate indicates UNO serves many students with limited financial resources, making that manageable debt level particularly important for this population.