Public Health at Moravian University

Starting at just over $30,500 a year, Moravian's Public Health program produces earnings that trail both the Pennsylvania median ($39,072) and national average ($37,548) by meaningful margins. While the debt load of $27,000 matches the state median and sits below national norms, the low starting salary creates a problematic ratio: graduates earn just 13% more than what they owe. More concerning is where this program ranks—bottom 5th percentile nationally and bottom quarter statewide. Compare this to Temple or Slippery Rock, where public health graduates start above $42,000.

The small graduating class (under 30 students) means a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly, but the gap is large enough to warrant serious consideration. At this salary level, graduates may struggle with basic financial independence in the Lehlehem area, where even modest apartments strain a $30,000 budget. Other Pennsylvania public health programs deliver $8,000-12,000 more in starting salary for similar or even lower debt.

Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend Moravian specifically—strong family ties, a unique campus fit, or substantial merit aid that reduces actual borrowing—the financial case for this program is weak. The in-state alternatives offering 30-40% higher earnings deserve serious attention.