Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,816/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,816/yr |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,854 |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $161,637 | $260,371 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $146,893 | $85,387 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $140,448 | $116,245 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $128,737 | $233,845 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $115,824 | $136,243 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $98,403 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $97,959 | $365,728 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $91,300 | $21,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $89,658 | $23,888 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $75,706 | $137,639 |
Analysis
Loma Linda University gives you a strong financial return if you pick the right health program, and it's built almost entirely around health careers. The median graduate out-earns most private-nonprofit peers a decade out, and the median debt is low enough that repayment shouldn't strangle your budget. This is a health-sciences school, so your major decides everything here.
Clinical and medical laboratory science is the clear winner, paying near six figures with a bachelor's degree. Registered nursing pays close behind and lands you a job in California's hospital market, where demand for nurses is steady. Both carry manageable debt relative to their pay. Dental support services and allied health diagnostic programs pay less, and the allied health path in particular pairs mid-$60Ks earnings with debt above $25,000, so the math is tighter there. Health and medical administrative services sits at the bottom near $47,000, and at that earnings level the return is weak for a private-school price.
The main risk is fit. Loma Linda has no broad slate of liberal-arts or business majors driving strong outcomes, so if you're not committed to a clinical or lab career, you're paying private tuition without the payoff those health programs deliver. Pick admin over lab science or nursing and you take on similar cost for much lower pay.
Lower- and middle-income families should compare Loma Linda's net price tiers against public nursing programs in California before committing, since the earnings for nursing here match what many state schools produce at lower cost. Loma Linda is a good financial bet if you know you want lab science, nursing, or a clinical field and will finish. If you're undecided or leaning toward health administration, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Loma Linda University worth the cost for most students?
Loma Linda University can be worth it if you're studying health sciences, particularly dentistry or nursing, which have strong earning potential. However, with graduates earning $89,816 annually after 10 years, the ROI depends heavily on your specific program and career goals.
What programs at Loma Linda University have the best return on investment?
Advanced dentistry programs offer the highest ROI at Loma Linda University, with graduates earning over $161,000 annually. Nursing and pharmacy programs also perform well, with graduates earning $128,000-$146,000, making these fields solid financial investments.
How much debt do Loma Linda University graduates typically have?
Loma Linda University graduates have a median debt of $20,854, which is relatively manageable compared to many private universities. This lower debt load helps improve the overall ROI, especially for health science programs with strong earning potential.
Does Loma Linda University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The relatively low median debt of $20,854 suggests Loma Linda University provides meaningful financial aid to many students. However, costs can still be significant for health professional programs, so students should carefully evaluate aid packages against expected earnings in their chosen field.