Rankings / Online
Best Online Health Professions Programs
- 50
- Schools
- $53,046
- Avg. Earnings
- 40%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,359
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,422
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $24,651 at the low end to $131,426 at the top. That 5.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Florida-Online offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $71,588 against $4,815 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, University of Florida-Online at $4,815 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $71,588, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Florida-Online graduates 81% of its students, well above the 40% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Allen County Community College: graduates owe only 0.17× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Florida-Online ($71,588 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. University of Florida-Online ($4,815/yr) and Southern New Hampshire University ($36,708/yr) produce graduates earning $71,588 and $50,318 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $31,893 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Florida-Online outperforms Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Florida-Online. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $50K 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 2026-07-13
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 University of Florida-Online #1 overall | $71,588 ▲ +35% vs avg | $4,815 | 81% | 100 |
| 2 Southern New Hampshire University #2 overall | $50,318 ▼ -5% vs avg | $36,708 | 44% | 100 |
| 3 Grand Canyon University #3 overall | $42,186 ▼ -20% vs avg | $22,472 | 43% | 100 |
| $60,615 ▲ +14% vs avg | $12,548 | 48% | 100 | |
| $55,194 ▲ +4% vs avg | $19,954 | 51% | 100 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Online Health Professions Programs
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,046 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 40% and an average net price of $18,359.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Florida-Online — Net Price: $4,815 | Graduation Rate: 81%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Florida-Online — 81% 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?
$49,661
Median earnings (10yr)
37%
Median graduation rate
$19,058
Median net price
1.8%
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.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $49,661 ten years after enrollment, or about $1,661 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 37%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $19,058 a year with about $22,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 40% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.8%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. University of Florida-Online tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $49,661 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
University of Florida-Online lands at #1 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #2 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $50,318 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,708 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 #3
Grand Canyon University lands at #3 with a 100/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Western Governors University lands at #4 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,615 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,548 a year, well under 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 #5
Johnson College lands at #5 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,194 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,954 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 #6
University of West Alabama lands at #6 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,232 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,684 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 #7
Bellevue University lands at #7 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $61,289 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,550 a year. 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 #8
Ave Maria University lands at #8 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $49,520 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,860 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 #9
Franklin University lands at #9 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,243 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
University Park, PA · 91% accepted · $19,550 net
Why it ranks #10
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus lands at #10 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,550 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Manchester, NH · $10,864 net
Why it ranks #11
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #11 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $66,479 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Empire State University lands at #12 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,080 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,676 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
National University lands at #13 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,548 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,878 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
University of Arkansas Grantham lands at #14 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $63,496 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,370 a year, well under 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 #15
Coastline Community College lands at #15 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $44,483 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,341 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bryant & Stratton College-Online lands at #16 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (52/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,187 a year, well under 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 #17
Liberty University lands at #17 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 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 #18
Waldorf University lands at #18 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $51,165 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,693 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
Ultimate Medical Academy lands at #19 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $29,194 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,457 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 #20
Touro University Worldwide lands at #20 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,803 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,058 a year. 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 #21
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus lands at #21 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $44,792 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,714 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #22 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $65,287 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 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 #23
Upper Iowa University lands at #23 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,766 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,942 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 #24
Arizona State University Digital Immersion lands at #24 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $62,668 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average. 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 #25
Belhaven University lands at #25 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,440 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,676 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 #26
University of Cincinnati-Clermont College lands at #26 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,803 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Kent State University at East Liverpool lands at #27 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (30/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,392 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #28
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #28 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,327 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,473 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
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #29
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #29 with a 100/100 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, 148% 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
Saint Louis, MO · 95% accepted · $22,066 net
Why it ranks #30
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #30 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 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 #31
College of Micronesia-FSM lands at #31 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (12/100). Graduates earn a median $24,651 a decade after enrolling, 54% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,789 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Shreveport, LA · 51% accepted · $7,022 net
Why it ranks #32
Louisiana State University-Shreveport lands at #32 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,477 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,022 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Saint Leo University lands at #33 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,364 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,293 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 #34
Columbia International University lands at #34 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,951 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,036 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 #35
Salish Kootenai College lands at #35 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $32,725 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,945 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Oklahoma City, OK · 92% accepted · $16,692 net
Why it ranks #36
Mid-America Christian University lands at #36 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,116 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,692 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 #37
Eastern University lands at #37 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $51,655 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,662 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Los Angeles, CA · 39% accepted · $35,558 net
Why it ranks #38
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science lands at #38 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $83,438 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,558 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 #39
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #39 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,986 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,898 a year. 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 #40
Fisher College lands at #40 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 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 #41
Allen County Community College lands at #41 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,059 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,642 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
Baker College lands at #42 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,833 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,157 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
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus lands at #43 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $44,792 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,470 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Spring Arbor University lands at #44 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,732 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,353 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 #45
Lamar University lands at #45 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 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
Wilkes University lands at #46 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $63,454 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,743 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 #47
Buena Vista University lands at #47 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,156 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,846 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 #48
Capitol Technology University lands at #48 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $85,035 a decade after enrolling, 60% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,102 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 #49
Metropolitan College of New York lands at #49 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (58/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $46,236 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,882 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 #50
Kent State University at Ashtabula lands at #50 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,205 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost 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 →Online health professions programs have become a vital option for many students seeking flexible education paths. With an average earning potential of $63,331 for graduates, these programs offer a promising return on investment, particularly for those balancing work and family commitments.
What sets the standout programs apart from the others are their student outcomes. Key metrics like graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels reveal the effectiveness of each program. The schools listed below not only provide valuable education but also aim to ensure that students leave with manageable debt and solid career prospects.
Take the University of Florida-Online, for example. It boasts an impressive graduation rate of 81% and earnings of $71,588. In contrast, the University of New Hampshire's program has a much lower graduation rate of 22% and higher debt levels at $26,814. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students must consider as they explore their options for online health professions education.
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 22 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Saint Leo University leads the group at 3.6%, with Franklin University (3.5%) and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (3.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 11.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. National University leads at 30.4%, 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 20.5% 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 1.50 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Maryville University of Saint Louis reaches 1.76, 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
Despite the variety of online health professions programs, a clear pattern emerges when we compare earnings and graduation rates. The University of Florida-Online excels with an 81% graduation rate and average earnings of $71,588, while the University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online struggles with only a 22% graduation rate and $66,479 earnings. This stark difference underscores the importance of program effectiveness in driving student success.
As you weigh these outcomes against your priorities, consider factors like location, program fit, and financial implications. For example, while Western Governors University offers a lower net price of $12,548, it also has a graduation rate of just 48%. Determine what matters most to you and your family as you evaluate these programs.
The stakes are high when choosing a program that can lead to a stable life. One family's decision to invest in a program with a strong graduation rate and manageable debt can create opportunities for future generations. Each choice shapes the path to success, so take the time to assess what will work best for you.
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 Online Health Professions Programs: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Online Health Professions Programs ranking? +
University of Florida-Online in Gainesville, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Online Health Professions Programs ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $71,588 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 81% 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 $53,046 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, University of Florida-Online leads: graduates earn a median $71,588 against net price of about $4,815 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 Florida-Online has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 81%, compared with a 40% 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 $18,359 a year across the 49 ranked schools with cost data. University of Florida-Online is among the most affordable at roughly $4,815. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Online Health Professions Programs 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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