Rankings / Outcomes
Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions
- 50
- Schools
- $69,509
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,052
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,797
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $46,498 to $137,047, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Hunter College delivers the most for the money: roughly $63,163 in median earnings against $2,984 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Hunter College ($2,984 net price), still posts $63,163 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Lehigh University graduates 89% of its students, versus a 59% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis ($137,047), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Santa Clara University costs $50,062. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $109,183, nowhere near the $47,078 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Hunter College beats University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the 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 Lehigh University. 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 $65K 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
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
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 | $131,426 ▲ +89% vs avg | $29,882 | 68% | 93 |
| $137,047 ▲ +97% vs avg | $31,817 | 69% | 89 | |
| 3 Saint Vincent College #3 overall | $59,982 ▼ -14% vs avg | $23,510 | 70% | 86 |
| $68,077 ▼ -2% vs avg | $12,278 | 50% | 86 | |
| $65,986 ▼ -5% vs avg | $12,885 | 59% | 84 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $69,509 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $20,052.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Hunter College — Net Price: $2,984 | Graduation Rate: 59%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Lehigh University — 89% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis — Median alumni earnings: $137,047
CollegeRanker Primary Research
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?
$64,893
Median earnings (10yr)
59%
Median graduation rate
$18,910
Median net price
3.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $64,893 ten years after they first enrolled, about $16,893 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 59%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,910 a year, with about $21,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 39% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 3.6%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $64,893 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Full rankings
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #1
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #1 with a 93/100 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, 89% 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 · 90% accepted · $31,817 net
Why it ranks #2
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis lands at #2 with a 89/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $137,047 a decade after enrolling, 97% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,817 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 #3
Saint Vincent College lands at #3 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,982 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,510 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 #4
San Francisco State University lands at #4 with a 86/100 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, 2% below 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Sonoma State University lands at #5 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $65,986 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,885 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 #6
California State University-East Bay lands at #6 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $71,401 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,320 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 #7
Santa Clara University lands at #7 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $109,183 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,062 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 #8
Lehigh University lands at #8 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 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
Los Angeles, CA · 39% accepted · $35,558 net
Why it ranks #9
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science lands at #9 with a 81/100 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, 20% 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
Sacramento, CA · 94% accepted · $9,338 net
Why it ranks #10
California State University-Sacramento lands at #10 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $64,876 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,338 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 #11
University of San Francisco lands at #11 with a 80/100 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, 29% 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 #12
Fresno Pacific University lands at #12 with a 79/100 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, 15% 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 #13
Mercy University lands at #13 with a 79/100 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, 25% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
CUNY Lehman College lands at #14 with a 79/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Wagner College lands at #15 with a 78/100 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, 7% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
CUNY Hunter College lands at #16 with a 76/100 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, 9% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Bay Path University lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,383 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 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 #18
Long Island University lands at #18 with a 76/100 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, 14% 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 #19
New York University lands at #19 with a 76/100 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, 19% 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 #20
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota lands at #20 with a 76/100 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, 16% 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 #21
University of Providence lands at #21 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,296 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,649 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 #22
California State University-Stanislaus lands at #22 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (65/100). Graduates earn a median $63,188 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,067 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 #23
Azusa Pacific University lands at #23 with a 75/100 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, 4% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
St. Joseph's University-New York lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,905 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,035 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 #25
CUNY York College lands at #25 with a 74/100 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, 18% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Adelphi University lands at #26 with a 73/100 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, 9% 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 #27
San Jose State University lands at #27 with a 73/100 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, 14% 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 #28
Dominican University of California lands at #28 with a 72/100 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, 22% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Costa Mesa, CA · 62% accepted · $21,241 net
Why it ranks #29
Vanguard University of Southern California lands at #29 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $59,541 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,241 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 #30
Pace University lands at #30 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $70,378 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,892 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
New York Institute of Technology lands at #31 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 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
Molloy University lands at #32 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $77,789 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,347 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 #33
College of Staten Island CUNY lands at #33 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,501 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,579 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 #34
Farmingdale State College lands at #34 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 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 #35
California State University-Chico lands at #35 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $64,172 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,480 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 #36
St. Francis College lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,099 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,129 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
Carson, CA · 93% accepted · $8,615 net
Why it ranks #37
California State University-Dominguez Hills lands at #37 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,162 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,615 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 #38
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #38 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 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
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #39
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #39 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 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 #40
Loyola University New Orleans lands at #40 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $52,927 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,696 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
San Diego State University lands at #41 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $64,909 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,364 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
Mount Saint Mary College lands at #42 with a 69/100 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, 3% 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
Northridge, CA · 93% accepted · $7,021 net
Why it ranks #43
California State University-Northridge lands at #43 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $59,115 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,021 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
Bushnell University lands at #44 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $53,623 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,789 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 #45
University of Mount Saint Vincent lands at #45 with a 68/100 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, 5% 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 #46
Emmanuel College lands at #46 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $68,245 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,706 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 #47
Point Loma Nazarene University lands at #47 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $63,998 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,729 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 #48
Stony Brook University lands at #48 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 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
Camarillo, CA · 95% accepted · $9,849 net
Why it ranks #49
California State University-Channel Islands lands at #49 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,152 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,849 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 #50
Linfield University lands at #50 with a 67/100 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, 13% 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
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 →Choosing a college for health professions is a significant decision that can shape a student's future. With an average earnings potential of $95,002, these schools stand out for their strong focus on preparing graduates for lucrative careers in healthcare. As the demand for skilled health professionals grows, understanding which colleges lead in graduate earnings is crucial.
The schools on this list excel in key outcomes: earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall mobility. In particular, those with higher earnings tend to have lower debt and higher completion rates. This balance is essential for students weighing not just immediate financial returns, but also long-term career mobility and stability.
For instance, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis leads with an impressive $137,047 average earning, but has a graduation rate of 69%. In contrast, the University of Pennsylvania offers a lower average earning of $111,371 but boasts a remarkable 97% graduation rate. These differences highlight the tradeoffs students may face in terms of potential earnings versus educational completion and support.
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 30 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.6%. CUNY Lehman College leads the group at 10.2%, with Pace University (8.4%) and CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 10.8% 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 38.7% 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 1.71 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
When we examine the data closely, a clear pattern emerges. The University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis leads with $137,047 in average earnings, but its 69% graduation rate suggests that students may encounter more challenges completing their programs. On the other hand, the University of Pennsylvania, while offering lower earnings at $111,371, achieves a high graduation rate of 97%. This discrepancy raises important questions about the support systems in place at each institution.
As you sift through these 50 schools, consider what's most important for your situation. Are you prioritizing immediate earnings, or is a strong graduation rate and manageable debt more appealing? Take the time to evaluate how each school's financials align with your personal goals, location preferences, and overall fit for your educational path.
The data underscores a broader reality: the choice of college can significantly affect not just earnings, but also long-term stability and quality of life. For many families, investing in higher education is a pivotal step toward financial security. A careful examination of these outcomes can guide a family in making a decision that resonates with their unique needs.
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
Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions ranking? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $131,426 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 68% 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? +
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis posts the highest median earnings on this list: $137,047 ten years after enrollment, well above the $69,509 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? +
Lehigh University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 59% 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 $20,052 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 Highest-Paying Colleges for 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
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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