As the baby-boomer generation ages, spending on healthcare is continuing to expand. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that between 2000 and 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and over will double--or more. The number of Americans aged 85 and over is projected to quadruple.

Healthcare Job Market

Healthcare is already a major employer across the country, and Kansas is no different. Healthcare-related jobs make up over 8% of the 1.3 million total jobs in Kansas. If you're squeamish about needles and don't see yourself working with patients in a clinical capacity, consider healthcare administration. This can be a very lucrative track: healthcare managers in Kansas make a median annual income of $63,970. If you would like to be involved with patient care but don't want to pay for years of med school, consider becoming a medical assistant, a position you can train for in less than two years.

These programs--and many others--offer the opportunity to learn about different aspects of healthcare, while preparing students for various levels of responsibility. What they have in common is their link to a growing field -- just what you would look for when assessing your career options.