Analysis
Based on comparable public health programs in New Hampshire, a Keene State bachelor's degree appears to track near the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $36,710βthough this lags behind Southern New Hampshire University's stronger outcomes by about $9,000. The estimated $24,000 debt load is actually lighter than both state and national norms for this degree, which gives graduates some breathing room. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, though that hinges on whether actual outcomes align with the state median used for this estimate.
Public health bachelor's programs produce fairly consistent outcomes nationally, with most graduates earning between $35,000 and $42,000 in their first year. The challenge is that Keene State's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available due to small sample sizes, so we're working from peer program data rather than direct evidence. New Hampshire's public health job market is relatively small, which may explain both the data gaps and why some programs outperform others significantly.
The lower debt load compared to peers gives this program a practical advantage if the earnings estimates hold true. But since both figures are derived from similar programs rather than Keene State's own track record, you're essentially betting that this program performs like the typical New Hampshire public health degreeβnot the best, not the worst. If your child is committed to public health and prefers Keene's campus, the numbers suggest reasonable financial viability, but tracking down alumni outcomes directly would strengthen that confidence.
Where Keene State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,710 | $36,710* | β | $24,000* | β | |
| $16,450 | $45,910* | β | $34,162* | 0.74 | |
| $37,791 | $36,710* | β | $27,000* | 0.74 | |
| $14,558 | $34,087* | $33,281 | $27,000* | 0.79 | |
| National Median | β | $37,548* | β | $26,000* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates
Physicists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Genetic Counselors
Epidemiologists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Environmental Restoration Planners
Industrial Ecologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
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 Keene State College, approximately 24% 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 median of 3 similar programs in NH. Actual outcomes may vary.