Analysis
Public health graduates in Texas face a challenging early-career landscape, and the estimated figures from comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $35,100βwell below the national median of $37,500 and dramatically trailing the state's top performers. MD Anderson's graduates earn nearly triple this amount, while even Texas A&M-College Station produces starting salaries over $39,000. This gap matters when you're carrying debt.
The estimated $22,500 debt load, derived from similar Texas private institutions, produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64βmanageable on paper but tight when monthly payments begin. With 44% of Schreiner students receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on that bachelor's degree to launch a viable career path. Public health can lead there, but the field often rewards graduate credentials and specialized experience more than an entry-level bachelor's degree alone.
For families considering this investment, recognize you're working with estimates based on peer programs, not Schreiner's actual outcomes. The real question is whether public health aligns with your child's long-term plans. If they're committed to the field and understand they may need additional credentials or several years of experience to reach stronger earning potential, this debt level won't sink them. But if they're uncertain about the career path, the modest estimated returns and wide variation in outcomes across Texas programs warrant serious consideration of alternatives.
Where Schreiner University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (26 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,396 | $35,119* | β | $22,495* | β | |
| β | $99,671* | β | $30,500* | 0.31 | |
| $10,026 | $44,621* | β | $23,328* | 0.52 | |
| $13,099 | $39,584* | β | $18,856* | 0.48 | |
| $35,660 | $37,319* | β | $31,000* | 0.83 | |
| $11,728 | $37,043* | β | $20,108* | 0.54 | |
| 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 Schreiner University, approximately 44% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.