Public Health at Chatham University

In Pennsylvania, public health bachelor's programs show a tighter clustering than many fields, with peer programs typically producing first-year earnings between $39,000 and $43,000. For Chatham's program, comparable programs across the state suggest starting salaries around $39,072—right at the state median but below what graduates from Temple, Franklin & Marshall, and Slippery Rock typically earn. The estimated $27,000 debt load yields a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary.

The challenge is that public health careers often require graduate degrees for advancement, so these bachelor's-level figures may represent a stepping stone rather than a career endpoint. If your child plans to continue to an MPH or similar credential, factor in additional borrowing. If they're entering the workforce immediately, peer programs suggest earnings that make the debt serviceable but don't provide much cushion—monthly payments would likely consume a noticeable portion of early paychecks.

Given the small graduate sample that triggered data suppression here, consider reaching out to Chatham directly for employment outcomes and typical career paths. Ask specifically whether graduates pursue further education immediately or find sufficient work with just the bachelor's degree, as that distinction matters significantly for evaluating this investment.