Best Health Sciences Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Health Professions Colleges in the South
Regional list from Health Sciences Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 51 Health Sciences programs in the South by median earnings of Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, highest first. University of Delaware leads the list with median earnings of $107,695 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $107,695 to $21,508, with a median of $54,006. For 1 of the 51 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 37 of the programs, or 73%, while 14 are private nonprofit. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $4,831, and also holds the best Azimuth composite rank: it ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Trinity Washington University reports the highest admission rate, admitting 100% of applicants.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $107,695 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware ranks 1st on this list, reporting $107,695 in median earnings for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | Nova Southeastern University · Fort Lauderdale, FL | $82,727 | $30,371 | $26,603 | 73.2% |
| Nova Southeastern University, a private nonprofit university in Fort Lauderdale, posts median earnings of $82,727 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $82,533 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| With an admission rate of 93%, University of Kentucky reports $82,533 in median earnings for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $74,152 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| University of Florida shows median federal debt of $15,000 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $74,152 four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $73,478 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
| Northern Kentucky University reports an average net price of $2,603 for families earning under $30,000, and its Health Sciences graduates earn a median of $73,478 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | The University of Tampa · Tampa, FL | $72,531 | $36,211 | $30,011 | 40.3% |
| Ranking 6th on this list, The University of Tampa posts median earnings of $72,531 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $69,815 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station reports $69,815 in median earnings for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, and ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 8 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana · Natchitoches, LA | $67,765 | $13,606 | $11,693 | 92.5% |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana admits 93% of applicants and reports median earnings of $67,765 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $66,064 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Coral Gables, University of Miami shows median federal debt of $15,911 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 10 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $65,617 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas reports median earnings of $65,617 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $18,267. | |||||
| 11 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $65,108 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
| Towson University posts median earnings of $65,108 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate is 82%. | |||||
| 12 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $60,839 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| Ranking 12th on this list, University of the Incarnate Word reports an average net price of $19,260 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | Howard University · Washington, DC | $60,047 | $50,539 | $46,051 | 41.3% |
| Howard University ranks 13th on this list with median earnings of $60,047 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $50,539. | |||||
| 14 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $59,794 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| A public university in Edinburg, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts an average net price of $4,831 and ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 15 | Spalding University · Louisville, KY | $59,761 | $25,491 | $20,509 | 99.5% |
| Spalding University admits 99% of applicants and reports median federal debt of $25,000 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 16 | Marymount University · Arlington, VA | $59,645 | $29,137 | $27,413 | 93.2% |
| With 30 graduates in the earnings cohort, Marymount University shows median earnings of $59,645 four years after completing its Health Sciences program. | |||||
| 17 | Texas Woman's University · Denton, TX | $58,585 | $11,963 | $9,948 | 96.1% |
| Texas Woman's University reports an average net price of $9,948 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $58,585 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $57,524 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University ranks 159th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and lists median federal debt of $21,358 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 19 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $57,271 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Western Kentucky University admits 94% of applicants and its Health Sciences graduates earn a median of $57,271 four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Shepherd University · Shepherdstown, WV | $56,953 | $11,363 | $7,906 | 96.8% |
| Shepherd University reports median federal debt of $25,000 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed and an average net price of $11,363. | |||||
| 21 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $56,452 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| With 1,044 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of South Florida posts median earnings of $56,452 four years after completing and an average net price of $4,122 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 22 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $56,148 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| University of Central Florida ranks 19th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Health Sciences graduates earn a median of $56,148 four years after completing. | |||||
| 23 | University of West Florida · Pensacola, FL | $55,704 | $9,364 | $4,815 | 58.2% |
| An average net price of $4,815 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median federal debt of $19,568 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed at University of West Florida. | |||||
| 24 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $54,471 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston lists an average net price of $14,276 and median earnings of $54,471 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Queens University of Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $54,170 | $30,857 | $22,792 | 62.1% |
| Queens University of Charlotte reports median earnings of $54,170 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, with 13 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 26 | Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, FL | $54,006 | $12,568 | $8,220 | 63.4% |
| Florida Gulf Coast University admits 63% of applicants and shows a median federal debt of $17,515 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 27 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $53,826 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University ranks 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $15,267. | |||||
| 28 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $53,757 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio ranks 28th on this list, with median earnings of $53,757 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $53,540 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
| University of North Florida carries an average net price of $6,647 for families earning under $30,000 and reports 301 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 30 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $52,716 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| Stephen F Austin State University shows a median federal debt of $26,000 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed and an admission rate of 94%. | |||||
| 31 | Stetson University · Deland, FL | $52,591 | $19,372 | $15,931 | 71.6% |
| Stetson University, a private nonprofit university in Deland, reports median earnings of $52,591 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | AdventHealth University · Orlando, FL | $51,967 | $30,135 | $28,845 | Not reported |
| AdventHealth University posts an average net price of $30,135 and a median federal debt of $24,542 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 33 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $51,909 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports 63 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 34 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $51,640 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University admits 66% of applicants and shows median earnings of $51,640 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $51,397 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University carries an average net price of $16,525 for families earning under $30,000 and a median federal debt of $17,750 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 36 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $50,657 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| Prairie View A & M University reports median earnings of $50,657 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 79%. | |||||
| 37 | Nicholls State University · Thibodaux, LA | $49,343 | $12,947 | $10,714 | 90.8% |
| Nicholls State University reports median earnings of $49,343 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, with 97 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $49,134 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Sam Houston State University admits 90% of applicants and carries an average net price of $16,404. | |||||
| 39 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $48,928 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| The University of Texas at Tyler ranks 39th on this list and shows median federal debt of $18,625 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 40 | Trinity Washington University · Washington, DC | $48,567 | $9,302 | $7,928 | 99.5% |
| Trinity Washington University, a private nonprofit university in Washington, posts median earnings of $48,567 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $47,791 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| Tulane University of Louisiana has an admission rate of 14% and an average net price of $39,949. | |||||
| 42 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock · Little Rock, AR | $46,276 | $17,248 | $15,195 | 58.8% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock reports median federal debt of $26,750 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $46,276 four years after completing. | |||||
| 43 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $46,081 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 20.6% |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University ranks 163rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $46,081 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 44 | Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL | $46,042 | $14,279 | $12,472 | 77.7% |
| Jacksonville State University shows an average net price of $14,279 and an admission rate of 78%. | |||||
| 45 | Arkansas State University · Jonesboro, AR | $46,015 | $12,366 | $10,098 | 82.3% |
| Arkansas State University reports median earnings of $46,015 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 23. | |||||
| 46 | Columbus State University · Columbus, GA | $45,997 | $13,115 | $11,271 | 99.1% |
| Columbus State University carries median federal debt of $26,970 among Health Sciences completers who borrowed and admits 99% of applicants. | |||||
| 47 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $44,612 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University ranks 222nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $16,590. | |||||
| 48 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $43,308 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
| University of West Georgia reports median earnings of $43,308 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 52%. | |||||
| 49 | Lee University · Cleveland, TN | $41,162 | $18,878 | $12,834 | 70.5% |
| Lee University reports median earnings of $41,162 for its Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, with 19 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 50 | Clayton State University · Morrow, GA | $40,140 | $8,365 | $7,405 | 68.5% |
| Clayton State University admits 68% of applicants and shows an average net price of $8,365. | |||||
| 51 | Piedmont University · Demorest, GA | $21,508 | $20,599 | $15,416 | 93.3% |
| Piedmont University, a private nonprofit university in Demorest, ranks 51st on this list and posts an admission rate of 93%. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 1 of the 51 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between University of Delaware and Nova Southeastern University is $24,968, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom is $86,187.
Job market context in the South
Graduates of Health Sciences programs in the South enter a labor market that links to occupations such as Health Education Specialists, Community Health Workers, and related roles. The median annual wage across those occupations is $58,889, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $46,730. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 10.5% higher, with about 60 openings a year for every hundred graduates, fewer projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses the median earnings of Health Sciences graduates four years after completing, a different measure from the occupational wage and demand figures described here.
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- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Health Professions Colleges in the South
- Health Professions Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Nursing Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Nursing Colleges in the South
- Physical Therapy Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Speech-Language Pathology Colleges in the South for Social Mobility