Public Health at Tennessee State University

The estimated $24,000 debt load sits below both state and national benchmarks for public health programs, which offers some reassurance given the first-year earnings picture. Based on comparable bachelor's programs across Tennessee, public health graduates typically earn between $30,000 and $38,000 in their first year—and this program's estimated $37,548 falls right in the middle of that range. With more than half of TSU students qualifying for Pell grants, keeping debt below the typical burden for this field matters considerably for families watching every dollar.

The 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests the debt should be manageable on a public health salary, though there's an important caveat: entry-level public health work often pays modestly, and career advancement may require additional credentials down the road. The field typically values experience and graduate education for higher-paying positions, so families should factor in whether their student might need a master's degree to reach their career goals. That said, starting with less debt than peers at other Tennessee programs provides more flexibility for those future decisions.

For families considering TSU's public health program, the math works better than at many alternatives—lower estimated debt paired with earnings that track with state averages creates a foundation that won't trap graduates in unmanageable payments. Just understand these are projections based on similar programs rather than TSU's specific track record, and plan conversations around whether a bachelor's degree alone aligns with your student's public health aspirations.