Rankings / Masters
Best Master's in Health Professions
- 50
- Schools
- $68,376
- Avg. Earnings
- 63%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,464
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,584
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $39,289 at the low end to $131,426 at the top. That 3.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Hunter College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $63,163 against $2,984 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, CUNY Hunter College at $2,984 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $63,163, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 63% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Johns Hopkins University: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to CUNY Lehman College ($58,013 earnings), not the highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and University of San Francisco ($41,431/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $89,812 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,447 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Hunter College outperforms Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with CUNY Hunter College and University of Pennsylvania. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $66K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CUNY Lehman College #1 overall | $58,013 ▼ -15% vs avg | $3,148 | 50% | 94 |
| 2 CUNY York College #2 overall | $56,945 ▼ -17% vs avg | $4,456 | 31% | 92 |
| 3 Azusa Pacific University #3 overall | $66,677 ▼ -2% vs avg | $22,212 | 63% | 91 |
| $74,360 ▲ +9% vs avg | $28,241 | 67% | 91 | |
| $87,555 ▲ +28% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 89 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's in Health Professions
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $68,376 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 63% and an average net price of $20,464.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Hunter College — Net Price: $2,984 | Graduation Rate: 59%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$65,845
Median earnings (10yr)
63%
Median graduation rate
$19,379
Median net price
2.7%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $65,845 ten years after they first enrolled, about $17,845 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 63%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,379 a year, with about $21,435 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 33% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.7%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. CUNY Lehman College tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $65,845 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
CUNY Lehman College lands at #1 with a 94/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
CUNY York College lands at #2 with a 92/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Azusa Pacific University lands at #3 with a 91/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $66,677 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,212 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Wagner College lands at #4 with a 91/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $74,360 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,241 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Johns Hopkins University lands at #5 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Portland lands at #6 with a 89/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $82,804 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,210 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Mercy University lands at #7 with a 88/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,055 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,072 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #8 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
CUNY Hunter College lands at #9 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Dominican University of California lands at #10 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $84,713 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,333 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Pennsylvania lands at #11 with a 87/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 63% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #12 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $72,273 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,706 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Linfield University lands at #13 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $78,638 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,536 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Immaculata University lands at #14 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #15
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #15 with a 86/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 92% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Texas Woman's University lands at #16 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Adelphi University lands at #17 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $75,482 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #18 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,990 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Long Island University lands at #19 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,950 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $33,062 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Mount Saint Mary College lands at #20 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $67,705 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,522 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #21 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Nevada State University lands at #22 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $53,166 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Holy Family University lands at #23 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Regis University lands at #24 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $72,105 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
San Francisco State University lands at #25 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $68,077 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,278 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi lands at #26 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,629 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,225 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Duke University lands at #27 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Pacific Union College lands at #28 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $70,484 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,008 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
New York University lands at #29 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota lands at #30 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,170 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,704 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Seattle University lands at #31 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
The College of Saint Scholastica lands at #32 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $65,934 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,846 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
San Jose State University lands at #33 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $78,988 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,760 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Mount Saint Vincent lands at #34 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $65,756 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,696 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Rhode Island College lands at #35 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,318 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,478 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Simmons University lands at #36 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
St Catherine University lands at #37 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $59,282 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,764 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of North Florida lands at #38 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
University of San Francisco lands at #39 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $89,812 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,431 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Notre Dame of Maryland University lands at #40 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,344 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,169 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Great Basin College lands at #41 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $39,289 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,471 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Midwestern State University lands at #42 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Oklahoma City University lands at #43 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,655 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Rockhurst University lands at #44 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $67,102 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,884 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Valparaiso University lands at #45 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,191 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Fresno Pacific University lands at #46 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,896 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,630 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Grand Canyon University lands at #47 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,186 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,472 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #48
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #48 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Utica University lands at #49 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,277 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
D'Youville University lands at #50 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $66,942 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,433 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Master's programs in health professions are increasingly critical as we navigate a complex healthcare landscape. With an average earning potential of $71,878 for graduates, these programs offer a pathway to rewarding careers that can help shape the future of health services. For prospective students, weighing options among the top schools can be daunting, but understanding the data can provide clarity.
What sets the strongest programs apart are their outcomes: graduation rates, earning potential, debt levels, and mobility. A high graduation rate suggests a supportive environment, while strong earnings indicate a good return on investment. The list below highlights programs with impressive metrics, which can guide students in making informed decisions about their education.
Take, for example, the University of Pennsylvania, boasting a remarkable $111,371 average earnings and a 97% graduation rate. In contrast, CUNY Lehman College offers significantly lower average earnings at $58,013 with just a 50% graduation rate. This stark difference illustrates the importance of selecting a program that balances cost with potential financial outcomes and graduate success.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 50 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.7%. CUNY Lehman College leads the group at 10.2%, with CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) and CUNY York College (6.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Lehman College leads at 36.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 33.5% across this list. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest success rate at 85.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.68 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of San Francisco reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
The disparity between the University of Pennsylvania and Mount Carmel College of Nursing highlights a crucial trend in health professions education. While UPenn graduates earn an average of $111,371, Mount Carmel's graduates earn only $75,103. This difference of over $36,000 is significant and underscores how program choice can impact long-term financial stability.
As you consider these schools, think about your own priorities. Are you focused more on location, program fit, or financial implications? For example, if minimizing debt is a priority, CUNY Lehman College's low net price of $3,148 might be appealing, despite its lower earnings potential. Balance these factors with the data presented here to find the best fit for your unique situation.
Ultimately, the journey from education to a stable career is shaped by these choices. For families weighing options, understanding the financial outcomes of a master's degree in health professions is essential. One decision can have lasting consequences, influencing not just individual futures but also the well-being of communities we serve.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Master's in Health Professions: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's in Health Professions ranking? +
CUNY Lehman College in Bronx, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's in Health Professions ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,013 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 50% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $68,376 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Hunter College leads: graduates earn a median $63,163 against net price of about $2,984 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 63% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,464 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's in Health Professions ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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