Medical Illustration and Informatics at Western Governors University

Western Governors University's online medical illustration program achieves something rare: graduates earn $74,000 in their first year—41% above the national median for this field—while carrying just $31,740 in debt. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face about five months of gross salary in loans, well below the concerning threshold. The program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings, and students take on debt below the 5th percentile, a combination that's genuinely unusual in healthcare-adjacent fields.

The modest earnings growth to $77,929 by year four suggests these are solid middle-income positions rather than high-trajectory careers, but the starting point matters more here. Utah has only two programs in this specialized field, so the 60th percentile state ranking is less meaningful than the national comparison—you're essentially looking at WGU versus one other institution. For a parent, the key question is whether your student can handle the self-directed online format, since WGU's competency-based model requires unusual discipline.

At under $32,000 in debt for a job that starts near $75,000, this program offers a clear path to financial stability. The 35% Pell Grant rate suggests WGU serves students who need affordable options, and the debt load reflects that mission. If your student has the drive for independent learning and wants healthcare-adjacent work without medical school debt, this delivers strong returns.