Public Health at Simmons University

Simmons' public health program launches graduates into solid starting salaries—$45,331 beats 91% of public health programs nationally—but the real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump 44% to over $65,000. That trajectory suggests graduates are landing roles with genuine advancement potential, not just entry-level positions with limited upside.

The debt picture deserves attention: $27,000 matches both the state and national median exactly, creating a first-year ratio of 0.60 that should feel manageable for most families. However, context matters here. While Simmons ranks in the 60th percentile among Massachusetts programs, it trails Tufts by nearly $8,000 in starting salary and only slightly edges out UMass Lowell, which likely costs considerably less for in-state students. You're paying for Simmons' focused mission and Boston location, not necessarily superior outcomes compared to state university alternatives.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could skew these numbers significantly. That said, the combination of strong national performance, reasonable debt load, and notable earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing in public health careers. For families willing to invest in a private college experience, the four-year earnings trajectory offers reassurance, but state university options deliver comparable results at likely lower total cost.