Health and Medical Administrative Services at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State's healthcare administration program shows troubling early results but meaningful recovery over four years. First-year graduates earn just $30,863—landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among North Carolina programs. That's $13,000 below the state median and nearly $14,000 below the national benchmark for this degree. With $30,500 in debt, new graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio just under 1:1, meaning they owe nearly as much as they earn in their first year.

The 37% earnings growth to $42,216 by year four offers some relief, suggesting graduates eventually find better positions. However, this four-year figure still trails the state median and sits well below top NC programs like UNC-Chapel Hill ($49,967) or University of Mount Olive ($43,807). The university serves a primarily Pell Grant-eligible population (61%), and these outcomes raise questions about whether the program adequately prepares students for competitive healthcare administration roles.

For families considering this program, the math is challenging: expect several years of financial strain after graduation before earnings reach more comfortable levels. If your child has options at UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina, or even Campbell University, those programs deliver substantially better returns. The eventual earnings growth is encouraging, but starting $13,000 behind state peers creates real hardship during the crucial early career years when loan payments begin.