General
Health And Medical Preparatory Programs
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Health And Medical Preparatory Programs.
Entry Level Salary
$34,000
Median Salary
$129,433
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $5,177,320
Entry (Early)
$34,000
Median (Prime)
$129,433
High (Prime)
$145,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-150k
+641k
+765k
$25k / yr
-240k
+551k
+675k
$50k / yr
-330k
+461k
+585k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
26
26
$50k / yr
Never
29
28
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-220%
507%
621%
$50k / yr
-152%
212%
269%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate68.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physicians
27.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$247,610|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Pharmacists
5.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$133,905|$137,480
openings
14,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Physician assistants
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$90,040
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|$133,260
openings
12,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +20.4%
Dentists
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$101,027
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$155,426|$179,210
openings
4,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Registered nurses
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,200
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,781|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Medical and health services managers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$37,485
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Physical therapists
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$68,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,413|$101,020
openings
13,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.9%
Surgeons
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$330,545
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$508,530|N/A
openings
1,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Veterinarians
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,883
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$125,510
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.6%
Management occupations
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,805|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| agriculture/veterinary preparatory programs. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | $21,646 - $21,646 |
| agriculture/veterinary preparatory programs. | Associate's Degree | 22 | Data N/A |
| agriculture/veterinary preparatory programs. | Bachelor's Degree | 20 | $41,591 - $57,461 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Undergrad Certificate | 39 | $36,210 - $91,776 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Associate's Degree | 128 | $30,484 - $90,501 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Bachelor's Degree | 157 | $42,880 - $118,364 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Post-bacc Certificate | 14 | $36,174 - $63,223 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Master's Degree | 15 | $68,501 - $68,501 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | First Professional Degree | 2 | $135,372 - $135,372 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Graduate Certificate | 14 | $72,581 - $72,581 |
| health/medical preparatory programs. | Level 99 | 18 | $93,499 - $95,155 |