Public Health at Dillard University

Dillard's Public Health graduates earn slightly above Louisiana's median for the program ($37,583 vs. $34,978 by year four), placing them in the 60th percentile statewide—a meaningful advantage given that most students at this HBCU likely attend for in-state tuition. However, these earnings trail the national median by about $10,000, and the debt load creates real pressure. With $35,000 in typical borrowing against $35,205 in first-year earnings, graduates face nearly dollar-for-dollar debt-to-income, though this is still lower debt than many public health programs nationwide.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of individual outcomes can swing these numbers significantly. What we can say: modest earnings growth of 7% over four years suggests some career progression, and serving a student body where 68% receive Pell grants, Dillard provides access to a health field for students who might otherwise lack it. For Louisiana families, this program delivers competitive in-state outcomes, though graduates should expect entry-level public health salaries that will require careful budgeting to manage loan payments comfortably.