Public Health at California State University-Fresno

At $34,948 in first-year earnings, Fresno State's public health program lags behind both the California median ($39,078) and national median ($37,548), landing at the 40th percentile statewide. That $4,000-5,000 gap matters when you're starting out. The upside? Graduates carry just $14,448 in debt—substantially less than the $26,000 national median and among the lowest debt loads in the state. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, most graduates can realistically pay this off within a year or two of working.

The challenge is that earnings growth looks modest. Four years out, graduates are earning $38,086, still trailing the state median and well below top California programs like UC Berkeley ($48,351) or Cal State Chico ($45,339). For a program serving predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible students (56% receive Pell grants), that limited earning potential could constrain career mobility, even with the manageable debt.

If your child is committed to public health and cost-conscious, Fresno State won't saddle them with crushing debt. But be realistic: this program produces below-average earnings for the field in California. They may need graduate school or career pivots to reach higher earning potential, which means the bachelor's degree is likely just the first step in a longer educational journey.