Public Health at SUNY Brockport

SUNY Brockport's public health program lands squarely in the middle of the pack, with first-year earnings of $36,690 falling slightly below both the national median ($37,548) and notably under New York's state median ($39,164). At the 40th percentile among New York programs, graduates here earn about $2,500 less than the typical in-state public health graduate—a meaningful gap given that top SUNY and CUNY programs push graduates into the mid-$40,000s. The $27,000 debt load is manageable and close to typical for the field, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74.

The real question for parents is whether this represents good value within SUNY's system. With a 71% admission rate and serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, Brockport provides accessible public health education at reasonable cost. However, CUNY Hunter achieves nearly $11,000 higher first-year earnings with similar debt levels, suggesting that location and program strength matter considerably in this field. Public health careers often start modestly but can grow with experience, so that sub-$37,000 starting point isn't alarming—but it's not impressive either.

For New York families prioritizing affordability and access, Brockport delivers a functional public health credential without crushing debt. Just understand you're paying for accessibility rather than outcomes that will outpace the field. If your student can gain admission to Hunter or other top-performing programs, the earnings advantage would likely justify the extra effort.