Public Health at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana's Public Health program delivers slightly below-average early earnings at $34,751, though it sits close to Louisiana's median for the field and comes with manageable debt of $26,500. The program ranks in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning it's middle-of-the-pack among Louisiana's 10 public health programs, with only modest differences between most schools in the state.

The trajectory here is steady but unspectacular. Four years out, graduates earn $40,182, representing 16% growth but still trailing the national median. For a program at a highly accessible institution (94% admission rate), these outcomes are reasonable but not exceptional. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means graduates owe roughly nine months of their starting salary—workable for a helping profession, though the relatively modest earnings mean budgets will be tight early on.

For Louisiana families keeping their student in-state, this program offers a straightforward path into public health work without excessive debt. The earnings won't be impressive compared to nursing or other health sciences, but they're typical for the field in Louisiana. Parents should recognize their child is entering a lower-paying sector of healthcare, and while debt is manageable, it will take discipline to pay down on these salaries. This is a viable option for students committed to community health work who understand the financial limitations of the field.