Public Health at Sullivan University

A $52,000 debt load stands out immediately—roughly double what peer public health programs in Kentucky typically produce. While Sullivan's first-year earnings estimate of $36,285 (based on comparable Kentucky programs) sits right at the state median, that debt figure pushes the ratio to 1.45, meaning graduates would owe more than a full year's salary. Even as fourth-year earnings climb to $44,360, that debt burden represents a significant financial headwind in a field not known for high starting salaries.

The estimates here compound an already challenging picture. Because this program's actual graduate outcomes aren't available due to small sample sizes, we're looking at figures derived from other Kentucky public health programs and national private nonprofit schools. What we can say with certainty is that similar programs across Kentucky cluster around $23,250 in debt—less than half what Sullivan's students would likely face. Programs at Murray State, UK, and Eastern Kentucky produce graduates earning in a comparable range but without the outsized debt burden.

For families considering this investment, the math is sobering even before accounting for the uncertainty in these estimates. Unless Sullivan offers substantial scholarship support that significantly reduces that projected debt load, other Kentucky programs appear to deliver similar career preparation at a fraction of the financial cost. Before committing, get clarity on actual net price after aid and compare it directly to alternatives.