2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools
With all the healthcare programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Most Popular Healthcare Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 3,906 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for healthcare students in the United States. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 18,666 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WGU accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WGU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,838 during the early years of their career. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Illinois is a great place for healthcare students. Chamberlain University - Illinois is a large private for-profit school located in Addison, Illinois that handed out 12,787 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Chamberlain - Illinois accumulate an average of $37,103 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $256.After graduating from Chamberlain - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $83,241 during the early years of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Grand Canyon University is a great place for healthcare students. This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 9,530 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,746 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $174, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $48,396 annually. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Ivy Tech Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 9,144 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of $15,847 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,780 during the early years of their career. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools list. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 7,475 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $36,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Capella University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,758 during the early year of their career. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. UMA Clearwater is a private not-for-profit institution located in Clearwater, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6,898 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UMA Clearwater accumulate an average of $19,393 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UMA Clearwater graduates make an average of $21,883 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
With a ranking of #8, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. University of Phoenix - Arizona is a large private for-profit school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 5,262 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,058 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $146, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UOPX - Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,608 during the early years of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools list. UT Arlington is a public institution located in Arlington, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,176 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UT Arlington accumulate an average of $23,737 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163. Once they receive their degree, UT Arlington graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,602 during the early year of their career. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University Global came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools ranking. This large public school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 4,802 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,097 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $133, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Purdue University Global graduates make an average of $43,154 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
National University College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools ranking. National University College is a large private for-profit school located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico that handed out 4,206 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,357 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $46 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National University College graduates make an average of $18,994 annually. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,467 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $30,063 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SNHU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,640 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools list. Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It awarded 3,433 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale accumulate an average of $34,584 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $167, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,413 during the early years of their career. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #14 on the list. This large public school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 3,133 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,223 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $177, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USF Tampa graduates make an average of $45,747 annually. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on University of South Florida - Main Campus
With a ranking of #15, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,208 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,883 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $344 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OHIO Athens graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,584 during the early year of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Central Florida landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,918 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UCF accumulate an average of $22,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $211 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCF graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,595 during the early year of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 2,691 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,329 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,016 during the early years of their career. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 2,524 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,340 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $272, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Ohio State graduates make an average of $49,871 annually. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #19 on the list. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,614 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $30,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,489 during the early years of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
ECPI University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 2,475 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,707 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $125. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools list. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 2,447 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from MCPHS University accumulate an average of $29,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $785 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MCPHS University graduates make an average of $69,235 annually. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Report
With a ranking of #22, Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit institution located in Ocala, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,424 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,604 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $127, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Florida graduates make an average of $41,940 annually. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools ranking. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a large public school located in Birmingham, Alabama that handed out 2,410 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UAB accumulate an average of $26,869 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $244. Once they receive their degree, UAB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,494 during the early year of their career. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 2,394 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,135 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259.After graduating from Rutgers New Brunswick, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,056 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,311 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from TTUHSC accumulate an average of $25,080 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. During the early years of their career, TTUHSC graduates make an average of $71,841 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular healthcare schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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