Public Health at Georgia State University

Georgia State's Public Health program lands right at the state median for earnings—$34,761 versus $34,775 statewide—but trails the national average by about $3,000 annually. More concerning is the gap with Georgia's top performers: Kennesaw State graduates earn $42,175 in their first year, a 21% premium that compounds over a career. At the 40th percentile among Georgia programs, this puts GSU squarely in the middle of the pack in a state where public health grads generally underperform the national market.

The debt load of $26,000 is manageable and actually runs slightly below the state median, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75. That's reasonable territory—graduates can expect to repay their loans without undue hardship. However, the earnings themselves present the real challenge. At $34,761, your child would be making less than many peers entering other health-related fields, and starting behind peers at UGA or Kennesaw State means catching up becomes difficult.

For families focused on maximizing return on investment, this program offers modest value. It's accessible, affordable, and serves a high percentage of Pell grant students well. But if your child has the credentials to attend UGA or Kennesaw State, the earnings premium there would be worth serious consideration—an extra $7,400 annually translates to real financial breathing room after graduation.