Public Health at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock's public health program punches above its weight financially. With first-year earnings of $42,605, graduates are earning 13% more than the national median and 9% above Pennsylvania's typical public health grad. Within Pennsylvania's competitive landscape of 28 programs, this puts Slippery Rock in the 60th percentile—outperforming larger names like Drexel and essentially matching Temple's outcomes, despite Slippery Rock's much more accessible admissions profile.

The debt picture reinforces the value story. At $26,998, students are borrowing right at the national median but graduating into above-average salaries, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. That means graduates owe about eight months of their first-year salary—manageable territory. Earnings growth to $47,583 by year four (a 12% increase) further improves the payback timeline and suggests steady career progression in the field.

For Pennsylvania families weighing in-state options, Slippery Rock delivers comparable outcomes to the state's elite private institutions at a fraction of the price and admission pressure. The combination of accessible entry, controlled debt, and strong post-graduation earnings makes this a practical choice for students interested in public health careers without the risk of crushing debt loads.