Public Health at California State University-Northridge

Cal State Northridge's Public Health program offers something increasingly rare: genuinely affordable access to a growing field. With just $14,000 in typical debt—well below both the state median ($15,265) and national median ($26,000)—graduates start their careers with financial breathing room that many peers don't have. The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: from $39,011 in year one to $54,285 by year four, that 39% jump suggests graduates are finding their footing and advancing relatively quickly in the field.

The catch is that this program sits in the 40th percentile among California's public health programs, trailing schools like UC Berkeley and even Cal State Chico by $10,000-15,000 in median earnings. Yet that comparison requires context. With a 93% admission rate and over half of students receiving Pell grants, CSUN serves a different population than Berkeley, and the low debt load matters significantly. A graduate earning $54,285 with $14,000 in debt faces a fundamentally different financial reality than one earning $48,000 with $30,000 in loans.

For families prioritizing affordability while gaining entry to public health—a field projected to grow faster than most—this program delivers reasonable value. The earnings growth suggests doors do open after that first year, and the minimal debt means your child can pursue graduate education or nonprofit work without being locked into the highest-paying jobs just to service loans.