Analysis
Manchester's Public Health bachelor's program costs approximately $27,000 in debt for first-year earnings that similar Indiana programs suggest will be around $43,000βa manageable 0.63 ratio that falls below the standard 1.0 threshold for affordable borrowing. This positions the program competitively within Indiana's public health landscape, where peer institutions like Purdue and IU campuses report outcomes in the $42,000-$45,000 range. The estimated debt load runs slightly above Indiana's median for public health programs ($23,860) but remains in line with the national benchmark of $26,000.
The school's 91% admission rate and substantial Pell population (44%) suggest accessibility for students from varied economic backgrounds, though those needing significant loans should recognize that public health careers often start modestly. Based on comparable programs, graduates should be able to service this debt level on entry salaries, particularly if they secure positions near the higher end of the state's range. Public health roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare systems typically offer stability even if they don't command premium salaries immediately.
For families comfortable with roughly $27,000 in borrowing, the estimated outcomes suggest reasonable valueβthe debt should be manageable on typical public health salaries. However, students planning graduate work or facing larger loan amounts would benefit from comparing offers across Indiana's 18 public health programs, particularly the IU and Purdue campuses with documented outcomes in the mid-$40,000s.
Where Manchester University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,090 | $43,073* | β | $27,000* | β | |
| $9,992 | $45,274* | $54,930 | $21,500* | 0.47 | |
| $8,179 | $43,356* | $47,980 | $27,334* | 0.63 | |
| $11,790 | $42,790* | $60,955 | $19,689* | 0.46 | |
| $10,449 | $42,152* | $48,634 | $22,220* | 0.53 | |
| 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 Manchester University, approximately 44% 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 4 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.