Public Health at Austin College

Austin College's public health program shows concerning first-year earnings of just $27,514—roughly $8,000 below Texas's state median and nearly $10,000 under the national average. While the program ranks in the 25th percentile statewide, it sits at the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs across the country produce higher starting salaries. Compare this to top Texas programs where graduates earn $37,000 to $44,000 in their first year, or even UT MD Anderson's exceptional $99,671.

The $20,500 debt load is actually below national and state medians for public health programs, which offers some relief. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it reflects the reality that graduates are earning so little that even moderate debt becomes a burden. At this salary level, standard loan payments will consume a significant chunk of take-home pay in those critical early career years.

The small sample size—under 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, so they may not reflect a consistent pattern. However, when comparing Austin College to larger public health programs in Texas, the gap is too wide to ignore. For families investing in a private college education, this program's return on investment raises serious questions about whether there are better paths to a public health career, particularly at Texas's larger public universities.