Public Health at South University-Richmond

South University-Richmond's public health program carries troubling debt levels that overshadow modest earnings outcomes. With graduates facing $56,262 in debt against first-year earnings of just $34,789, students are borrowing more than 1.6 times what they'll earn—a burden that falls in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of public health programs leave students with less debt. While the program sits at the 40th percentile among Virginia schools for earnings, that's still below the state's median of $36,641, and roughly $2,800 behind stronger performers like George Mason and Bryant & Stratton Virginia Beach.

The math here is stark: monthly loan payments could consume 20-25% of take-home pay for years, severely limiting financial flexibility in a field not known for high starting salaries. Public health bachelor's programs nationwide typically carry $26,000 in debt—less than half what Richmond graduates face. Given that 41% of students receive Pell grants, many families may be particularly vulnerable to this debt load.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the specific networking or location benefits justify borrowing twice the typical amount. If your child can access a public institution like George Mason or reduce costs through community college transfer credits, those routes would offer substantially better financial positioning in the same field.