Public Health at The University of Texas at Arlington

UTA's Public Health program manages to keep debt significantly lower than both state and national averages—$20,108 versus $26,000 nationally—while delivering earnings that outpace most Texas programs. At $37,043 first-year out, graduates earn above the state median of $35,119, placing this program in the 60th percentile among Texas schools. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 means students borrow roughly half a year's salary, a manageable level that many can realistically pay down.

The caveat is that first-year earnings trail the national median slightly and land well below elite programs like UT Austin's MD Anderson ($99,671) or even Texas A&M's main campus ($39,584). But comparing UTA to research flagships misses the point—this program serves a different population, with 40% of students on Pell grants and an open admission environment. For students seeking an accessible entry point into public health careers without crushing debt, the combination of below-average borrowing and solid in-state earnings performance creates genuine opportunity.

The practical takeaway: Your child can graduate with debt they can tackle on a public health salary, especially if they stay in Texas where this program performs competitively. It won't match the earning power of specialized programs at research universities, but the risk-adjusted value proposition works for students who need affordability alongside their degree.