Public Health at Montclair State University

Montclair State's Public Health graduates start significantly behind their peers—earning just $34,032 in year one, well below both the national median ($37,548) and the New Jersey median ($44,423). Among the nine New Jersey schools offering this degree, Montclair ranks near the bottom quartile, trailing programs like Rutgers-New Brunswick and Stockton by $10,000-$11,000 annually.

The bright spot is earnings growth: graduates see a 42% increase by year four, reaching $48,201. However, this catch-up still leaves them only slightly ahead of where stronger programs start. The moderate debt load of $27,000 is manageable but feels steep given those first-year earnings—you're looking at nearly 80% of annual income dedicated to debt if paying aggressively early on. For context, Montclair serves a population where 44% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families have limited financial cushion to support their child during those lean early years.

If your child is set on public health and needs an accessible option, Montclair delivers steady growth from a rough starting point. But if in-state tuition costs are comparable elsewhere, Rutgers or Stockton offer materially better immediate outcomes. This matters particularly for public health careers, where graduate school is often necessary for advancement—starting $10,000 behind annually makes saving for that next degree considerably harder.