Public Health at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State's Public Health program shows remarkably strong first-year earnings of $52,540—nearly 40% above the national median and significantly outpacing the two other Colorado programs. Among the state's limited public health options, this ranks in the 80th percentile, which is notable given that one competitor is the well-regarded CU Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. Graduates owe $26,000, slightly above Colorado's median but manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.50. The 23% earnings growth to $64,493 by year four suggests graduates gain valuable professional traction after entry-level positions.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift with a larger sample. That said, the performance gap is substantial enough to be meaningful—we're not talking about a few thousand dollars separating this program from others. Whether this reflects CSU's specific curriculum, strong employer relationships in Colorado's public health sector, or simply a particularly successful cohort isn't entirely clear from the data alone.

For parents weighing CSU against other Colorado options, the earnings advantage appears real and substantial, even accounting for the small sample limitation. The debt level is standard for the field, and the strong year-one earnings suggest graduates aren't struggling to launch careers. If your child is committed to public health and staying in Colorado, this program delivers better financial outcomes than its in-state peers.