Analysis
The $31,000 debt load here exceeds what most Massachusetts public health graduates carryβthe state median is $27,000, and the national figure sits at $26,000. That extra burden matters when first-year earnings for comparable programs in Massachusetts hover around $43,000, putting American International's estimated debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.72. While that's manageable compared to truly problematic programs, it means your graduate is looking at roughly nine months of gross income to cover their educational debt, assuming similar outcomes to peer programs across the state.
What complicates the picture is uncertainty. The Department of Education suppresses earnings data when too few graduates participate in the survey, so we're working with estimates based on five other Massachusetts public health programs. Those programs range from UMass-Amherst's $37,364 to Tufts' $53,372, suggesting outcomes vary significantly by institution. American International's 97% admission rate and high Pell grant enrollment (50%) indicate it serves a different population than selective competitors like Tufts, which may affect career placement networks and early earnings trajectories.
The practical question: can your student land one of the better-paying public health positions coming out of this program, or will they track closer to the lower end of that range? With above-average debt and estimated earnings in the middle of the pack, there's little margin for disappointing job outcomes. If your student has offers from UMass-Lowell or Amherst with lower debt, those merit serious consideration.
Where American International College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,970 | $43,046* | β | $31,000 | β | |
| $67,844 | $53,372* | $63,446 | $18,250 | 0.34 | |
| $45,538 | $45,331* | $65,418 | $27,000 | 0.60 | |
| $16,570 | $43,046* | $52,704 | $27,000 | 0.63 | |
| $47,770 | $42,638* | $50,178 | $27,000 | 0.63 | |
| $17,357 | $37,364* | $59,268 | $26,000 | 0.70 | |
| National Median | β | $37,548* | β | $26,000 | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates
Physicists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Genetic Counselors
Epidemiologists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Environmental Restoration Planners
Industrial Ecologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At American International College, approximately 50% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.