Best Undergraduate Programs for Healthcare Careers

Choosing a healthcare career starts with understanding the many paths available. While nursing and medicine may be the first fields that come to mind, healthcare also includes medical imaging, laboratory science, rehabilitation, respiratory care, behavioral health and administration.

If you're researching the best healthcare degrees, comparing healthcare majors or wondering, "what medical career is right for me" it helps to explore the education each profession requires. Some undergraduate programs prepare students for professional credentials and entry into the workforce, while others provide a foundation for graduate education or specialized training.

Benefits of Earning an Undergraduate Degree That Can Lead to a Healthcare Career

Healthcare offers a range of career paths for those interested in science, technology, business or helping others. Exploring the best healthcare degrees and healthcare degree options can help you identify a major that aligns with your interests and goals.

• Discover a range of career paths: Looking for a healthcare career that is more than direct patient care? There’s a wide range of options for you to choose from. Medical laboratory science, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy and healthcare administration are just a few areas to consider when exploring allied health jobs. An undergraduate degree can help you find a path that is the best fit for you. 

• Build skills you can use throughout your career: Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork are essential across healthcare settings. Developing these transferable skills and gaining hands-on experience during your undergraduate education can help prepare you to adapt to evolving technology, patient needs and healthcare practices.

• Prepare for in-demand career opportunities: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare to account for about 37 percent of all new jobs added through 2035. Healthcare and related occupations are projected to grow by 9.5% during the same period, reflecting continued demand across a range of healthcare services.  

• Explore careers with competitive earning potential: If you're researching medical jobs that pay well, an undergraduate degree can be a starting point for several healthcare career paths. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $86,530 for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations in May 2024, compared with $49,500 for all occupations. Salaries vary by profession, education, location and experience.

• Make a meaningful difference in people’s lives: Whether you’re caring for a patient at the beside or analyzing a laboratory sample, your work is contributing to people’s health and well-being. An undergraduate degree can prepare you to put your knowledge and skills to work helping others.

 

Associate Degrees for Healthcare Careers

1. Radiologic Technology

Medical imaging helps healthcare providers identify injuries, diagnose conditions and guide treatment. Radiologic technologists operate imaging equipment, including X-ray machines, and work directly with patients to capture diagnostic images.

An Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology program prepares students for radiologic technologist careers through classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical experiences. The seven-semester program helps students develop the technical knowledge and patient-care skills needed to work in hospitals, imaging centers and other healthcare facilities. 

For those researching associate degrees in healthcare, radiologic technology offers a specialized pathway into diagnostic imaging. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic technologists and technicians earned a median annual wage of $81,390 in May 2025. Employment in the field is projected to grow by 5% from 2025 to 2035.

 

2. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Assist a licensed physical therapist in improving patient mobility with an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Physical Therapist Assistant. This degree prepares students to work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, helping patients complete treatment plans and improve their movement and function. Through classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experiences, students develop the skills needed to pursue PTA licensure by passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

The median annual wage for Physical Therapist Assistants was $68,380 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also noted Physical Therapist Assistant careers having a 17% projected job growth over the next ten years. This makes PTA one of the healthcare career paths with strong projected employment growth for students pursuing an associate degree.

 

Bachelor’s Degrees for Healthcare Careers

1. Nursing

Wondering what you can do with a BSN degree? Graduates of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program can pursue nursing careers in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians' offices, schools and home healthcare settings. Registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $97,550, with employment projected to grow by 6% from 2025 to 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students considering the benefits of nursing, the profession offers opportunities to provide direct patient care, educate families and advocate for healthier communities.

For students researching the best nursing schools in the U.S., FranU offers a nationally recognized BSN program. Ranked No. 1 in Louisiana and No. 25 nationally by allnurses, this program prepares students for rewarding careers as registered nurses through rigorous academics, hands-on clinical experience and personalized instruction.

 

2. Health Sciences

When exploring what jobs they can get with a health science degree, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is a good option as a flexible pathway into the administrative and organizational side of healthcare. The program is designed for students with an associate degree who want to build on their existing education and develop skills in healthcare management, communication, business and leadership. 

Health science degree careers can include healthcare administration, clinic management, patient care coordination, community health and health services management.

Graduates may pursue careers in community health, healthcare administration, patient advocacy, clinical research and other growing healthcare fields, making Health Sciences a flexible pathway for students exploring health science major jobs and future opportunities If you're wondering what you can do with a BS in Health Sciences, this program provides an opportunity to explore careers that support the delivery of quality patient care without necessarily working in a clinical role. The median annual wage for related fields is $75,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics.

 

3. Biology

Are you interested in life sciences? A Bachelor of Science in Biology provides a solid foundation for careers in healthcare, research and science-related fields. Students can choose from Biochemical Analysis or Pre-Professional Human Medicine (pre-med) tracks and follow pathways designed for careers in Physician Assistant or Physical Therapy studies, making it one of the best pre-med degrees for students pursuing professional healthcare programs.

Wondering about biology degree careers or for medical school what is the best major? Biology graduates can pursue careers in research, biotechnology and healthcare, while many continue their education in medical school, veterinary school and other graduate health professions programs. The median annual wage for individuals with biology degrees is $80,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics.

FranU's Biology program offers two accelerated pathways, 3+2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies and 3 + 3 Pathway to DPT Studies, allowing students to transition into the Physician Assistant or Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs.

 

4. Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

A laboratory result can help a physician identify an infection, monitor a chronic condition or determine the next step in a patient's treatment. Medical laboratory scientists play an important role in these decisions by analyzing blood, tissue and other clinical specimens. 

A Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science prepares students for medical laboratory scientist careers through diagnostic testing, specialized laboratory techniques and clinical experiences. Students develop the technical and analytical skills needed to work in hospital laboratories, diagnostic facilities, public health agencies, research settings and blood banks. 

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Medical Laboratory Scientist certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Medical laboratory science is one of several allied healthcare jobs that allow professionals to contribute to patient care without providing direct bedside treatment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $62,930 in May 2025 for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, a broader occupational category that includes medical laboratory scientists. Employment in this category is projected to grow by 3% from 2025 to 2035.

 

5. Respiratory Therapy 

Looking for a high paying healthcare job that isn’t nursing? A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy program prepares students for an allied healthcare career that is in high demand. FranU's program consists of clinical rotations that teach care for patients of all ages. Through these rotations, students will develop a deep understanding of respiratory care in diverse settings, ready to step into any clinical environment. The average salary for Respiratory Therapists is $80,450 per year. Respiratory therapist careers are projected to grow by 12% over the next ten years, a much faster-than-average increase in employment opportunities. 

Respiratory Therapy is ranked #12 on U.S. News’ 2026 list of the 100 Best Jobs, thanks to strong job growth, competitive salaries and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

 

6. Psychology 

If you find yourself asking "what healthcare career is right for me?", a Bachelor of Psychology degree opens the door to many jobs. Psychology examines human behavior and mental processes, providing insight into areas such as emotional well-being, relationships, development and decision-making.

Psychology degree careers include clinical psychology, substance abuse worker, health human resources specialist and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for individuals with a psychology degree is $60,000 per year.

 

7. Business Administration

Healthcare organizations rely on people who understand management, finance, operations and the business decisions that support patient services.

FranU's fully online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a business degree online that teaches business principles, including management, accounting, supply chain and entrepreneurship. Students can choose from specialized tracks, including Health Services Administration.

If you're interested in a business and management degree, the Health Services Administration track offers a way to apply business knowledge in healthcare settings. It also provides an accelerated pathway to FranU's Master of Health Administration (MHA). Eligible students can begin graduate-level coursework during their junior or senior year, allowing them to work toward both degrees through an integrated academic pathway.

Graduates may explore what they can do with a bachelor's in business administration through opportunities in healthcare administration, medical practice management, operations and other organizational roles. Some leadership positions may require professional experience or advanced education.