Public Health at Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University's Public Health program carries a notable red flag: while its $39,912 first-year earnings beat the national median by a few thousand dollars, graduates earn far less than the typical Rhode Island public health graduate, who makes $57,910. Among the state's four programs, this ranks in just the 10th percentile—meaning nearly all competing Rhode Island programs produce better outcomes. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty, but the gap between Roger Williams and the state median is too substantial to ignore.

The debt picture offers modest relief. At $27,000, graduates carry slightly more than the national median but significantly less than what Rhode Island public health students typically borrow. The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, meaning students can reasonably expect to handle their loans. However, when Brown University's public health graduates earn nearly double ($75,909), parents should understand they're choosing accessibility over outcomes—Roger Williams admits 88% of applicants compared to Brown's selectivity.

For families prioritizing affordability and in-state options, this program won't bury students in debt. But if a child could qualify for University of Rhode Island or other state alternatives, those would likely deliver stronger earning potential with comparable or lower debt loads. The value here depends entirely on whether better Rhode Island options are realistic alternatives.