Key Takeaways
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of California healthcare graduates found their first job within six months, the highest share of any major surveyed.
Many healthcare professions, including nursing, face workforce shortages, highlighting a growing need for qualified healthcare workers.
Healthcare degrees can offer a direct path to employment in an industry with opportunities for licensed graduates.
Healthcare majors may have an advantage when finding their first job after college. In California, 65% of healthcare majors found their first job within six months of graduation, more than graduates in any other field in a BestColleges and National University survey.
The California Educational Outcomes Survey of 1,006 bachelor's degree holders also found that healthcare graduates reported strong earnings and success entering their intended fields. Workforce shortages and degree programs that prepare students for specific careers might help explain these outcomes.
Healthcare Grads Find Jobs Quickly After College
As new graduates struggle to find employment, healthcare stands as a viable option with high growth and job opportunities compared with other fields we surveyed.
Why Do Healthcare Grads Find Jobs So Quickly?
Healthcare graduates may benefit from high demand, degree programs with clear paths to employment, and a large industry that offers plenty of opportunities.
Healthcare Workforce Shortages
Many healthcare professions face workforce shortages, including physicians, behavioral health professionals, dentists, and nurses. These workforce shortages may create more employment opportunities for qualified graduates entering higher-demand healthcare fields.
Nursing, one of the biggest health professions hiring bachelor's grads, is facing a national shortage. The California nursing workforce, in particular, is projected to face a 17% shortage by 2033, creating an increasing need for qualified nurses.
Clear Employment Pathways
Healthcare programs also offer a direct route to the workforce through specialized coursework, supervised training, and licensure requirements. The survey found 75% of healthcare graduates entered their intended field.
For example, bachelor's in nursing programs require students to complete clinical training that prepares them for professional practice. Graduates can then take the NCLEX-RN and pursue licensure to become registered nurses.
Dr. Joann Harper, professor of the School of Health Professions at National University, told BestColleges that preparing students for the demands of healthcare careers is important to helping them transition to the workforce. That includes managing everything from scheduling conflicts to the intricacies of patient care.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Harper also pointed out that healthcare grads aren't limited to clinical roles. The industry is so large that it offers roles at virtually every level. Supportive, managerial, financial, regulatory, insurance, marketing, and digital roles give students many opportunities to apply their degrees.
"When that all comes together, the industry is limitless," Harper said.
This range of careers could give healthcare graduates more flexibility when searching for jobs if they're open to work outside of patient care.
Which Healthcare Careers Are in High Demand?
One of the fastest-growing bachelor's-level healthcare careers is medical and health service management, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Professionals in this field are responsible for creating work schedules, maintaining the facility, and recruiting and training.
The BLS projects the healthcare field as a whole to grow much faster than average, with almost 2 million openings each year. The following healthcare careers, which typically require no more than a bachelor's degree, are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
| Career | Salary (May 2025) | Projected Career Growth (2025-2035) | Typical Entry-Level Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $123,860 | 24% | Bachelor's |
| Psychiatric Technicians and Aides | $45,100 | 18% | Less than a bachelor's |
| Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides | $61,200 | 17% | Associate |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | 16% | Associate |
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | 13% | Bachelor's |
| Registered Nurses | $97,550 | 6% | Associate or bachelor's |
| Recreational Therapists | $61,960 | 5% | Bachelor's |
Is a Healthcare Degree Worth It?
Healthcare could be a good fit if you have the desire or talent for caring for others and prioritize salary, job availability, and advanced education opportunities. Most (63%) of healthcare graduates in the California Educational Outcomes Survey rated their degree's value as good or excellent.
However, before choosing a healthcare major, consider the cost of your education, additional training requirements, and the physical and emotional demands of the profession. Demanding working conditions have contributed to workforce shortages in careers like nursing.
Harper emphasized that addressing nursing shortages requires employers to ensure salaries reflect the real demands of the job.
"No matter what the profession is, you've got to figure out what equity is in terms of salary and consider both the psychological component as well as the physical component of nursing," Harper said.
These challenges are worth weighing against the potential benefits, particularly if you're considering patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Majors
Healthcare majors had some of the better career outcomes in the BestColleges and National University California Educational Outcomes Survey. They were most likely to find jobs within six months of graduating (65%), and 75% entered their intended field.
Among full-time workers, 52% earned more than $100,000, tied for the highest percentage of the seven majors surveyed.
