Public Health at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach's public health program charges twice the national debt burden for median outcomes. Graduates carry $52,060 in loans—double the national median of $26,000 and nearly double Virginia's state median of $27,000—while earning $37,548 their first year out. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.39 means graduates owe roughly 17 months of their gross salary, creating a tight financial squeeze right when they're starting their careers.

The earnings picture offers little help. Graduates earn essentially the same amount four years after graduation as they did in year one, with no meaningful income growth over that period. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Virginia's public health programs, that comparison offers cold comfort when the debt load is this severe. Among programs nationally, it sits right at the median for earnings but in the bottom 5% for debt burden—a combination that makes this one of the most expensive paths to a standard public health salary.

With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves many families who can least afford to take on such heavy debt loads. For most students, Virginia's public universities offer similar earning potential at half the cost. Unless there are compelling reasons like location flexibility or specific career connections, the debt math here is hard to justify.