Public Health at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

Bryant & Stratton's Public Health associate program in Virginia Beach asks students to take on substantially more debt than the national norm—$30,312 versus a typical $20,000—for earnings that, while solid, don't fully justify the premium. Graduates earn $33,828 in their first year, which places this program in the 75th percentile nationally but represents the middle of the pack in Virginia. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 means students are borrowing nearly a full year's salary, and with 62% of students on Pell grants, that debt burden hits financially vulnerable families hardest.

The trajectory looks more promising than the starting point: earnings climb 12% to $38,013 by year four, suggesting graduates gain traction in the field. That growth helps offset the initial debt load, though it doesn't erase the fundamental question of whether this path makes sense compared to entry-level healthcare work that requires less education. For students committed to public health careers specifically, this program delivers competitive outcomes—just at a steeper price than most associate programs demand.

The practical calculus: if your child can access similar training at a community college for $10,000 less in debt, that's likely the smarter move. If this is the only accessible option and they're determined to enter the field, the earnings trajectory at least provides a reasonable path to managing the debt.