Public Health at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's Public Health program sits at an interesting crossroads: it underperforms the national market yet leads most Missouri competitors. That 60th percentile ranking among Missouri schools means you're beating the state median—$33,863 versus $33,863 (tied with state average)—though trailing Mizzou's $36,867 by about $3,000 annually. The national picture is tougher, landing in just the 21st percentile, roughly $3,700 below the national median of $37,548.

The program's strength lies in its trajectory rather than its starting point. Earnings jump 35% from year one to year four, reaching $45,608—suggesting graduates find their footing after an admittedly slow launch. The debt load of $26,122 is perfectly middle-of-the-road (48th percentile), creating a manageable 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio. For Missouri families paying in-state tuition, this math works better than for out-of-state students paying premium prices for below-average initial returns.

Here's the practical takeaway: if your child is Missouri-based and committed to public health, this program offers reasonable value with solid mid-career growth. Out-of-state families should pause—you'd be paying extra to enter the field earning less than peers at three-quarters of competing programs nationally. The 35% earnings bump shows promise, but starting $3,700 behind the national curve requires years to overcome.