Public Health at Allegheny College

Allegheny's Public Health program shows concerning early earnings given its private college costs. At just $32,328 one year out—roughly $6,700 below Pennsylvania's median and nearly $11,000 less than top in-state alternatives like Temple or Slippery Rock—graduates face a challenging financial start. This places the program in the bottom quarter among Pennsylvania public health programs, a significant gap when many state universities offer stronger earnings outcomes at lower sticker prices.

The debt picture adds complexity. While $27,000 matches the state average, it represents 84% of first-year earnings, leaving graduates with tight budgets as they launch careers in a field not known for high starting salaries. Allegheny's selectivity and small class environment come at a premium that doesn't translate to competitive early earnings in this field.

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew these numbers. However, the consistent underperformance compared to state peers suggests a pattern worth noting. For families paying private tuition, this data point matters: public health careers often require graduate degrees for advancement, making that initial debt burden and modest starting salary a real consideration. Pennsylvania families have stronger-performing options, both public and private, for this career path.