Analysis
Washington University's elite reputation doesn't translate into elite earnings in this health professions program, where first-year salaries from comparable programs nationally come in at $38,492—nearly $14,000 below what graduates typically earn from Missouri's other health professions bachelor's programs. For a family paying premium tuition at one of the nation's most selective universities (12% admission rate, 1530 average SAT), this gap deserves scrutiny. Even Missouri Southern State, with far less competitive admissions, reports median earnings of $52,539 for its health professions graduates.
The estimated debt of $26,972 looks manageable on paper—roughly 70% of first-year earnings—but context matters. Other Missouri programs in this field typically saddle graduates with just $21,463 in debt while delivering substantially higher starting salaries. The combination suggests this particular program at WashU may not leverage the institution's prestige effectively in the job market, possibly because "health professions" encompasses roles where employer networks and clinical training matter more than university brand.
If your child is set on WashU, investigate which specific health careers this program targets and whether those justify the earnings gap. The school's exceptional resources and research opportunities may pay off long-term, but first-year outcomes from peer programs suggest graduates aren't immediately capitalizing on the WashU name in ways that justify attending here over more affordable Missouri alternatives.
Where Washington University in St Louis Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Health Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis | $62,982 | $38,492* | — | $26,972* | — |
 Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin | $8,400 | $52,539* | $53,183 | $21,463* | 0.41 |
| National Median | — | $38,492* | — | $26,000* | 0.68 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Washington University in St Louis, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 44 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.