Public Health at Caldwell University

A debt load of $27,000 represents a moderate financial commitment for a public health bachelor's, particularly when peer programs in New Jersey suggest first-year earnings around $44,400. This ratio of about 0.6 falls within manageable territory—monthly loan payments would consume roughly 6-7% of gross income under standard repayment plans. That's workable, though not exceptionally comfortable for an entry-level salary in a helping profession.

What's harder to assess is Caldwell's specific positioning. The estimated earnings figure comes from just three reporting programs across New Jersey, meaning there's limited visibility into how this particular school's outcomes compare. Public health bachelor's programs produce widely varying results—nationally, the field ranges from $37,500 at the median to over $42,000 at the 75th percentile, and New Jersey's own programs span from Montclair's $34,000 to Rutgers-New Brunswick's $45,400. Without school-specific data, you're making an educated guess about where Caldwell falls in that range.

The practical question: are you comfortable betting on an outcome that could reasonably land anywhere in a $10,000+ range? If your child is specifically drawn to public health and Caldwell's smaller environment appeals to them (46% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting economic diversity), the estimated debt burden isn't prohibitive. But you'd want strong alternative reasons to choose Caldwell over programs where you can see actual graduate outcomes.