Analysis
A $20,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree is manageable—it sits at exactly the Puerto Rico median for Public Health programs and well below the $26,000 national median. Since this program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (83% of students), that relatively modest debt burden matters even more. The challenge lies in the earnings picture: peer Public Health programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,500, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that falls within workable territory but leaves little cushion for graduates navigating Puerto Rico's job market, where public health salaries may differ substantially from mainland figures.
Without actual earnings data from this campus or other Puerto Rico programs, you're making an investment based on national patterns that may not hold. Public health roles in Puerto Rico—whether in community organizations, government agencies, or healthcare systems—operate under different economic conditions than comparable positions stateside. The debt level suggests the program is at least mindful of student financial burden, but whether those national earnings estimates translate to Puerto Rico's market is the critical unknown. If your student has ties to the island and plans to work locally, confirm what entry-level public health positions actually pay in San Juan or other employment hubs before assuming this follows national patterns.
Where Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Public Health bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,920 | $37,548* | — | $20,000 | — | |
| — | $99,671* | — | $30,500 | 0.31 | |
| $9,228 | $76,451* | — | — | — | |
| $68,230 | $75,909* | $61,595 | $11,760 | 0.15 | |
| $8,050 | $74,771* | $82,190 | $27,000 | 0.36 | |
| $14,694 | $59,330* | $60,142 | $30,750 | 0.52 | |
| National Median | — | $37,548* | — | $26,000 | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates
Physicists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Genetic Counselors
Epidemiologists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Environmental Restoration Planners
Industrial Ecologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus, approximately 83% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 213 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.