Location: Pocatello, ID•In-State Tuition: $8,356•Out-of-State Tuition: $27,466
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,548
Est. from national median (213 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,000
Est. from national median (142 programs)

Analysis

A $24,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $37,500 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64—well within the comfort zone for a bachelor's degree. These figures come from national patterns across public health programs, and while Idaho State's specific outcomes remain unclear due to limited graduate data, Idaho's three public health programs show considerable variation. Boise State graduates earn substantially more at $46,117, while BYU-Idaho's program produces lower starting salaries at $30,128. Idaho's statewide median for public health sits slightly above the national figure at $38,122, suggesting Idaho State likely falls somewhere in this middle range.

The estimated debt figure of $24,000 is actually higher than Idaho's typical $17,903 for public health degrees, which matters for families watching costs. That said, the overall debt burden remains reasonable for a field with stable employment prospects in healthcare settings, government agencies, and nonprofits. Public health careers often require advanced degrees for significant salary progression, so starting with manageable debt becomes particularly important if graduate school is on the horizon.

Without program-specific outcomes, you're essentially betting on Idaho State performing somewhere between its in-state competitors. Given that gap—a $16,000 annual difference between the state's top and bottom programs—requesting transfer credit policies and alumni employment data from Idaho State directly would help clarify where this program actually lands. The debt load is acceptable, but the earnings uncertainty is real.

Where Idaho State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally

Idaho State University (estimated ±10%)Other public health programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Idaho

Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Idaho (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Idaho State UniversityPocatello$8,356$37,548*—$24,000*—
Boise State UniversityBoise$8,782$46,117*—$22,758*0.49
Brigham Young University-IdahoRexburg$4,656$30,128*$39,001$13,048*0.43
National Median—$37,548*—$26,000*0.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates

Physicists

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

$166,290/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Genetic Counselors

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

$98,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Epidemiologists

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

$78,900/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Idaho State University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 213 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.