Public Health at Brigham Young University

BYU's Public Health bachelor's earns a 5th percentile ranking nationally—placing it among the lowest-earning programs of its kind—but that alarming statistic deserves context. First-year earnings of $29,025 lag far behind the national median of $37,548 and Utah's $39,882, ranking 25th percentile statewide. However, the program shows remarkable upward momentum: earnings jump 55% to $44,870 by year four, ultimately surpassing both benchmarks. This "slow start, strong finish" pattern suggests graduates may initially pursue lower-paying public service roles or graduate school preparation before moving into better-compensated positions.

The debt picture offers genuine relief: at $10,924, graduates owe less than half Utah's median ($14,541) and just 42% of the national average. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38—manageable even during that modest first year. BYU's tuition structure, particularly for LDS students, clearly makes a difference here. When you combine low debt with strong earnings growth, the total financial picture improves considerably after those initial challenging years.

The real question is whether your family can weather that first year earning under $30,000—roughly half what graduates from Utah State's program make immediately. If your student plans graduate school, needs time to find their footing in public health, or has family support during early career years, BYU's combination of minimal debt and solid mid-career earnings makes sense. But families needing immediate financial return should look at the comparison schools listed above.