Public Health at Northeastern State University

Northeastern State's public health program turns in solid numbers, but the small graduating class—fewer than 30 students—means these figures could shift dramatically year to year. That said, the available data shows graduates earning more than the national median ($41,457 versus $37,548) while carrying debt that's actually below the national average. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, with first-year grads needing roughly 8 months of gross pay to cover their loans.

Within Oklahoma, this program lands in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms about half of the state's public health programs but trails the top performer at UCO by about $8,000 annually. The debt load here is notably higher than Oklahoma's median of $21,625, which narrows the financial advantage compared to other in-state options. The 13% earnings growth over four years shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages, though you'd want confirmation that this trajectory holds for larger cohorts.

For Oklahoma families looking at public health careers, this represents a reasonable path—better than many national programs and accessible at a near-open-admission school serving a substantial number of Pell Grant students. Just recognize that with such a small sample size, next year's data could tell a different story. If your student has competitive credentials, comparing financial aid packages from UCO would be worthwhile.