Analysis
Rasmussen's public health program sits firmly in the bottom half of Minnesota options, with first-year earnings of $35,433βabout $3,000 below the state median and roughly $11,000 less than top performers like Winona State. More concerning is the debt burden: at $40,809, graduates carry $14,000 more debt than the state median, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt levels. The combination creates a starting debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.15, while Minnesota's public health students at other schools typically carry closer to 70 cents of debt per dollar of earnings.
For families focused on value, this is a tough trade-off. With half of students receiving Pell grants, many here depend on manageable debt loads, yet graduates face substantially higher loan balances than peers across Minnesota. Earning 40th percentile in the state isn't disastrous, but paying significantly more for below-average outcomes makes recovery slower. Other Minnesota programs routinely deliver both higher earnings and lower debtβa combination worth serious consideration for families evaluating options.
Unless there are compelling reasons specific to Rasmussen's format or accessibility, families should compare this program carefully against alternatives. The gap in both earnings and debt is substantial enough that starting at a different institution could mean thousands less in student loan payments with better career positioning from day one.
Where Rasmussen University-Minnesota Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Rasmussen University-Minnesota graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,899 | $35,433 | β | $40,809 | 1.15 | |
| $10,498 | $46,250 | $50,899 | $20,966 | 0.45 | |
| $12,498 | $44,285 | $48,167 | $45,793 | 1.03 | |
| $49,758 | $42,407 | $48,071 | $29,815 | 0.70 | |
| $52,284 | $38,475 | $59,475 | $27,000 | 0.70 | |
| $14,318 | $36,520 | β | $26,000 | 0.71 | |
| 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 Rasmussen University-Minnesota, approximately 51% 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 52 graduates with reported earnings and 64 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.