Public Health at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's Public Health degree starts slow but accelerates impressively—graduates earn just under $36,000 initially, then jump to $54,500 by year four. That 52% earnings growth is the story here. While the program ranks only in the 34th percentile nationally after one year, it outpaces 60% of Texas public health programs, which matters more for most students paying in-state tuition. The moderate debt load of $21,500 is manageable relative to mid-career earnings, creating a workable financial picture for graduates willing to invest time in career development.

The caveat is that first-year salary, which trails both national and state medians slightly. Public health often requires additional experience or credentials to reach higher pay, and these numbers reflect that reality. You're not competing with UT's highest-earning majors here—the program sits well below top Texas schools like MD Anderson's $99,000 outcomes—but you're getting a solid foundation from a respected institution at a reasonable price.

For families comfortable with a slower earnings start and confident their student will build relevant experience post-graduation, this program works. The debt burden won't overwhelm early earnings, and the trajectory shows clear advancement. Just understand this isn't a quick-payoff degree—it's a steady climb that requires patience and strategic career moves to reach its full earning potential.