Location: Evanston, IL•In-State Tuition: $65,997•Admission Rate: 7%•Avg SAT: 1526
Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,956
63rd percentile
60th percentile in Illinois
Median Debt
$14,684
44% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.37 ManageableSample: 19 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Northwestern's elite brand doesn't translate to elite outcomes for public health graduates, at least not in the first year. With starting earnings around $40,000, these graduates earn just $2,400 more than the national median—a modest premium for one of the country's most selective universities. More striking: Illinois State University's public health program produces graduates earning nearly 50% more, raising questions about whether Northwestern's 7% acceptance rate justifies the choice for this specific major.

The debt picture tells a different story. At under $15,000, Northwestern graduates carry roughly half the typical debt load for public health majors nationally and in Illinois—a significant advantage that likely reflects the university's strong financial aid. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means graduates should be able to manage repayment reasonably, even with below-expected starting salaries.

However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes these figures unreliable for drawing firm conclusions. The program may be too new or too small to produce meaningful data. For parents considering Northwestern specifically for public health, the first-year numbers suggest other Illinois programs deliver stronger immediate returns. If you're already committed to Northwestern for other reasons—prestige, connections, overall university experience—the manageable debt softens the blow of modest starting salaries.

Where Northwestern University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally

Northwestern UniversityOther public health programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Northwestern University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Northwestern University earns $40k — 63th percentile among public health bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Northwestern UniversityEvanston$65,997$39,956—$14,6840.37
Illinois State UniversityNormal$16,021$59,207$76,175$22,2500.38
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago$14,338$41,585$46,816$22,9870.55
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign$16,004$40,564$61,751$20,6780.51
Governors State UniversityUniversity Park$11,320$36,537$33,380$23,0000.63
Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford$13,546$35,433—$40,8091.15
National Median—$37,548—$26,0000.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates

Physicists

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

$166,290/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Genetic Counselors

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

$98,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Epidemiologists

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

$78,900/yrJobs growth:
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 Northwestern University, approximately 19% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.