Public Health at Rasmussen University-Wisconsin

Rasmussen University-Wisconsin's Public Health program saddles graduates with significantly more debt than nearly any comparable program in the country while delivering below-average earnings. With over $40,000 in student loans—more than double the national median for public health degrees—graduates start at just $35,433, falling short of both the national and Wisconsin medians by roughly $2,000. This lands in the bottom 5% nationally for debt burden, meaning 95 out of 100 public health programs manage to graduate students with less debt.

Within Wisconsin, the picture is equally troubling. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse produces public health graduates earning $41,585 with presumably more reasonable debt loads from a public institution. Even Bryant & Stratton College matches the state median earnings while likely offering better debt-to-earnings ratios. For a family paying private tuition prices at Rasmussen, the return simply doesn't justify the investment when stronger alternatives exist in-state.

The 1.15 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe more than a full year's salary, creating immediate financial strain in a field not known for high starting salaries. With 57% of Rasmussen students receiving Pell grants, this debt burden falls particularly hard on families least able to absorb it. Parents should seriously consider UW-La Crosse or other public options that deliver better outcomes without the excessive debt load.