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# Best Health Sciences Programs in the South (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Health Professions Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-health-professions-colleges-in-the-south/)

Regional list from [Health Sciences Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-health-sciences-programs/)

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](/school/university-of-delaware/majors/) 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

51 schools in list order

| 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](/school/university-of-delaware/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting [$107,695 in median earnings](/school/university-of-delaware/outcomes/) 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%](/school/university-of-kentucky/admissions/), [University of Kentucky](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $15,000](/school/university-of-florida/cost/) 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](/school/northern-kentucky-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $2,603](/school/northern-kentucky-university/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-tampa/majors/) posts [median earnings of $72,531](/school/the-university-of-tampa/outcomes/) 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](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) reports [$69,815 in median earnings](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) 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](/school/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-miami/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $15,911](/school/university-of-miami/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/majors/) reports [median earnings of $65,617](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/outcomes/) 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](/school/towson-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $65,108](/school/towson-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-the-incarnate-word/majors/) reports an [average net price of $19,260](/school/university-of-the-incarnate-word/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/majors/) posts an [average net price of $4,831](/school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/cost/) 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](/school/texas-womans-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $9,948](/school/texas-womans-university/cost/) 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](/school/lamar-university/majors/) [ranks 159th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/lamar-university/) 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](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) [admits 94% of applicants](/school/western-kentucky-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-south-florida/majors/) posts [median earnings of $56,452](/school/university-of-south-florida/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-central-florida/majors/) [ranks 19th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-central-florida/) 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](/school/university-of-west-florida/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-west-florida/majors/). |
| 24 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $54,471 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
|  | [University of Houston](/school/university-of-houston/majors/) lists an [average net price of $14,276](/school/university-of-houston/cost/) 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](/school/florida-gulf-coast-university/majors/) [admits 63% of applicants](/school/florida-gulf-coast-university/admissions/) 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](/school/georgia-southern-university/majors/) [ranks 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/georgia-southern-university/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) ranks 28th on this list, with [median earnings of $53,757](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-north-florida/majors/) carries an [average net price of $6,647](/school/university-of-north-florida/cost/) 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](/school/stephen-f-austin-state-university/majors/) shows a [median federal debt of $26,000](/school/stephen-f-austin-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/stetson-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Deland, reports [median earnings of $52,591](/school/stetson-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/texas-a-m-university-corpus-christi/majors/) [ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/texas-a-m-university-corpus-christi/) 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](/school/florida-atlantic-university/majors/) [admits 66% of applicants](/school/florida-atlantic-university/admissions/) 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](/school/west-texas-a-m-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $16,525](/school/west-texas-a-m-university/cost/) 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](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $50,657](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/nicholls-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,343](/school/nicholls-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/sam-houston-state-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/sam-houston-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-tyler/majors/) ranks 39th on this list and shows [median federal debt of $18,625](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-tyler/cost/) 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](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/majors/) has an [admission rate of 14%](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $26,750](/school/university-of-arkansas-at-little-rock/cost/) 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](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/majors/) [ranks 163rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/) 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](/school/jacksonville-state-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $14,279](/school/jacksonville-state-university/cost/) and an admission rate of 78%. |
| 45 | Arkansas State University · Jonesboro, AR | $46,015 | $12,366 | $10,098 | 82.3% |
|  | [Arkansas State University](/school/arkansas-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $46,015](/school/arkansas-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/columbus-state-university/majors/) carries [median federal debt of $26,970](/school/columbus-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/texas-southern-university/majors/) [ranks 222nd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/texas-southern-university/) 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](/school/university-of-west-georgia/majors/) reports [median earnings of $43,308](/school/university-of-west-georgia/outcomes/) 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](/school/clayton-state-university/majors/) [admits 68% of applicants](/school/clayton-state-university/admissions/) 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.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Health Professions Colleges in the South](/rankings/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