Public Health at American Public University System

American Public University System's online public health program produces graduates earning substantially more than their peers—$47,100 in the first year versus a national median of just $37,548. That 25% premium over the typical program puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally, though interestingly only the 60th percentile within West Virginia, where public health graduates generally earn more than the national average. Even West Virginia University's program, at $37,256, doesn't match APUS outcomes.

The stronger earnings come with slightly elevated debt ($28,999 versus $26,000 nationally), but the 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio remains quite manageable—graduates can expect to earn about 60% more than their debt load in their first year. More encouraging is the 29% earnings growth by year four, reaching $60,675, which suggests these graduates are advancing into better-paying roles rather than hitting early career ceilings.

For an online program that likely attracts working adults—evidenced by the relatively low Pell grant rate of 25%—these outcomes make sense. Many students may already have healthcare or government jobs where a public health degree enables promotions. If your child fits that profile or values the flexibility of online learning, this program delivers measurably better earnings than most alternatives. The moderate sample size means outcomes could vary, but the data shows graduates consistently outperforming their peers nationally.