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Berea College stands alone among the most affordable Health Services programs, charging just $4,483 net cost despite being a private nonprofit institution with a sticker price near $50,000. This Kentucky school demonstrates how creative funding models can compete with public colleges, while California State Universities dominate the affordability market with six programs under $6,000. The healthcare support sector continues expanding across America, with medical assistants and health information technicians representing two of the fastest-growing occupations nationwide. Florida's Seminole State leads all programs at $3,119 net cost, reflecting the state's aggressive community college pricing strategy. Ohio University's regional campuses show how satellite locations can drive costs down, with three branches offering sub-$6,000 net prices despite graduation rates between 13.7% and 20%. California's public system particularly excels here, with schools like CSU-Fullerton achieving 69.2% graduation rates while maintaining reasonable costs. The earnings data reveals a $15,000 gap between top and bottom performers, suggesting program quality and location significantly impact career outcomes in this growing field.
50
Programs
$3,119 – $10,916
Net Price Range
$30,210
Avg. Program Earnings
47.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,119 $3,227 42.0%
2 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
3 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
5 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
6 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
7 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
8 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
9 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
10 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
11 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
12 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
13 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
14 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
15 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
16 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
17 $6,329 $4,865 31.4%
18 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
19 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
20 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
21 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
22 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
23 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
24 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
25 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
26 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
27 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
28 $8,264 $6,238 42.1% 99.8%
29 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
30 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
31 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
32 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
33 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
34 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
35 $9,421 $6,238 39.2% 98.2%
36 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
37 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
38 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
39 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
40 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
41 $10,145 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
42 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
43 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
44 $10,442 $8,300 50.9%
45 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
46 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
47 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
48 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
49 $10,898 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
50 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Berea College so affordable despite its private status?

Berea College operates a unique work-study model where every student works on campus to offset tuition costs. The school's $49,326 sticker price drops to just $4,483 net cost through this program and generous financial aid. This approach allows Berea to compete directly with public institutions while maintaining a 62% graduation rate. The college specifically targets students from Appalachian regions and low-income families nationwide.

How do California State University programs compare in cost and outcomes?

Six CSU campuses offer Health Services programs under $6,000 net cost, with graduation rates ranging from 46.9% to 69.2%. CSU-Fullerton leads in outcomes with a 69.2% graduation rate and $31,640 median earnings. CSU-Stanislaus shows the strongest value proposition with 58% graduation rates at just $5,671 net cost. These schools demonstrate how large public systems can maintain quality while controlling expenses.

Does location significantly impact earnings in Health Services programs?

Geographic location creates substantial earnings differences in this field, with available data showing a range from $30,409 to $31,640 among reported schools. California schools report higher earnings, likely reflecting the state's elevated cost of living and healthcare wages. Rural locations typically offer lower starting salaries but may provide better job placement rates. Healthcare support roles often tie closely to local hospital systems and medical facilities density.

What explains the wide graduation rate variations among these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from 13.7% at Ohio University-Lancaster to 69.2% at CSU-Fullerton, reflecting significant differences in student support and program structure. Ohio University's regional campuses consistently show lower completion rates between 13.7% and 20%, suggesting commuter populations face additional challenges. Community colleges like Miami Dade achieve 44.7% graduation rates with intensive support services. Four-year programs generally outperform two-year options in completion metrics.

Where do students typically find the lowest debt loads in Health Services education?

CUNY York College produces graduates with just $10,975 in average debt, the lowest among schools reporting this data. CSU-Stanislaus follows at $12,415, while other California schools range from $15,000 to $17,609. Lower debt typically correlates with strong state funding and need-based aid programs. Public institutions in states with solid higher education funding consistently produce lower debt burdens than the national average.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.