Here are the top 10 healthcare degrees/fields that offer the best potential return on investment for students, according to OnlineDegrees.com's Best Online Degrees tool.
1. Osteopathic medicine/osteopathy
• Average Salary: $176,530
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 16.65 percent
2. Dental hygiene
• Average Salary: $78,070
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 34.7 percent
3. Diagnostic medical sonography
• Average Salary: $75,720
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 41.05 percent
4. Occupational therapist assistant
• Average Salary: $70,150
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 39.35 percent
5. Medical radiologic technology/science
• Average Salary: $73,123
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 26.8 percent
6. Surgical technology
• Average Salary: $63,875
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 32.95 percent
7. Health information/medical records administration
• Average Salary: $90,940
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 23.2 percent
8. Aerospace physiology and medicine
• Average Salary: $90,807
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 12.83 percent
9. Emergency medical technology
• Average Salary: $58,150
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 29.6 percent
10. Clinical/medical laboratory technician
• Average Salary: $61,500
• Projected Job Growth (2012 to2022): 32.9 percent
OnlineDegrees.com conducted a study to determine which degree fields provide the best ROI based on a variety of cost-benefit factors.