HEALTH Specialization

Health/Medical Preparatory

Health/Medical Preparatory graduates earn $61,911 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,679 and $83,434. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Health/Medical Preparatory

Health/Medical Preparatory is a focused area of study within Health. Graduates typically earn around $61,911 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 464 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 9,413 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$33,689
Median Earnings · 4yr
$61,911
Colleges Offering
464
Graduates / Year
9,413
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,676

How Much Do Health/Medical Preparatory Graduates Earn?

Health/Medical Preparatory graduates earn $61,911 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,679 and $83,434. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $33,689 climbs to $61,911 by year four.

$33,689
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$61,911
4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$62,543
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Health/Medical Preparatory graduates. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $61,911 and an estimated $66,704 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.1 years.

Based on outcomes from 238 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 9,413 students who complete Health/Medical Preparatory programs each year, the majority (41%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 41%
Associate's 39%
Post-Bacc Cert. 8%

What Can You Do With a Health/Medical Preparatory Degree?

Health/Medical Preparatory connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Cardiologist leads at $496,010/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +4.1%
$496,010
$274K $610K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 600 openings/yr 17K employed nationally
↗ +2.7%
$420,860
$217K $506K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 27K employed nationally
↗ +3.2%
$391,490
$207K $491K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,300 openings/yr 39K employed nationally
↗ +4.1%
$358,550
$181K $531K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 400 openings/yr 14K employed nationally
↗ +2.7%
$335,550
$185K $419K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,000 openings/yr 33K employed nationally
↗ +6.4%
$328,730
$140K $452K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 400 openings/yr 11K employed nationally
↗ +4.2%
$312,400
$186K $373K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 400 openings/yr 11K employed nationally
↗ +4.3%
$300,080
$174K $422K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 300 openings/yr 9K employed nationally

Top Colleges for Health/Medical Preparatory

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Health/Medical Preparatory students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public 385 89.9% $14,967 $62,668
2 Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OK · Public 275 Open $6,288 $39,746
3 Holmes Community College Goodman, MS · Public 212 Open $5,643 $32,922
4 Essex County College Newark, NJ · Public 202 Open $4,436 $37,230
5 Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit 166 51.3% $41,104 $65,793
6 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public 146 77.3% $19,604 $64,010
7 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL · Public 139 69.8% $13,391 $57,808
8 Marshall University Huntington, WV · Public 132 95.7% $7,502 $46,354
9 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 130 79.4% $38,509 $84,648
10 Hudson County Community College Jersey City, NJ · Public 114 Open $7,307 $34,333
11 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA · Nonprofit 109 85.2% $39,545 $125,557
12 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public 104 85.3% $25,648 $54,810
13 Arkansas State University-Beebe Beebe, AR · Public 101 Open $11,698 $36,603
14 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL · Public 99 71% $17,648 $49,379
15 Atlantic Cape Community College Mays Landing, NJ · Public 89 Open $8,392 $34,241
16 Gavilan College Gilroy, CA · Public 86 Open $6,542 $47,169
17 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit 85 11.3% $26,780 $99,980
18 East Mississippi Community College Scooba, MS · Public 78 Open $4,608 $33,772
19 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA · Public 77 93.3% $21,193 $62,569
20 National Park College Hot Springs, AR · Public 76 Open $12,720 $32,444

Ranked by Health/Medical Preparatory graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Health/Medical Preparatory program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Health/Medical Preparatory Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Health/Medical Preparatory shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $61,911 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $33,689 at graduation to $61,911 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +6.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
  • Wide availability Offered at 464 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
  • Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.

Health/Medical Preparatory Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Health/Medical Preparatory graduates earn?
Health/Medical Preparatory graduates earn a national median of $61,911 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,679 and $83,434. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Health/Medical Preparatory degree?
One year after graduation, Health/Medical Preparatory degree holders earn a median of $33,689. That climbs to $61,911 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Health/Medical Preparatory degree?
Health/Medical Preparatory degree holders pursue careers including Cardiologist, which pays a median of $496,010/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Health/Medical Preparatory program take?
A Health/Medical Preparatory bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Health/Medical Preparatory?
464 colleges and universities in the United States offer Health/Medical Preparatory programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Health/Medical Preparatory degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $61,911 and an average net price of roughly $16,676/yr, a Health/Medical Preparatory degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Health/Medical Preparatory and Health?
Health/Medical Preparatory is a focused concentration within the broader Health field. The Health major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Health/Medical Preparatory-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Health/Medical Preparatory graduates?
Employers hiring Health/Medical Preparatory graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Health/Medical Preparatory graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Health/Medical Preparatory graduates?
The job outlook for Health/Medical Preparatory graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Dermatologists is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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