Public Health at Concordia University-Wisconsin

Borrowing $27,000 to earn an estimated $37,548 in your first year creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72—solidly below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Similar public health bachelor's programs across Wisconsin suggest this earning potential, which happens to match the national median exactly. That's neither exceptional nor alarming, but it does mean your child would be entering a field where starting salaries cluster in a narrow range, with even top-performing Wisconsin programs like UW-La Crosse only reaching about $42,000.

The debt picture here looks more favorable than you might expect. While the state median for public health degrees in Wisconsin sits at $41,000, this estimate of $27,000—derived from comparable programs at similar institutions—would give graduates considerably more breathing room. That $10,000 difference translates to lower monthly payments and faster payoff, which matters significantly in a field where salaries don't typically skyrocket in the early years.

The practical reality: public health offers stable employment but modest initial compensation. If your child is drawn to this work for its mission and impact, the estimated financial picture here won't create overwhelming burden. However, if they're pursuing public health primarily as a career hedge or because other healthcare paths seem too demanding, the salary ceiling should factor heavily into that calculation.