Public Health at University of Alaska Anchorage

University of Alaska Anchorage graduates $12,000 less debt than the typical public health bachelor's program nationwide—a remarkably low figure that creates an unusually favorable financial picture for this degree. With first-year earnings at $42,552, graduates earn nearly 15% more than the national median while carrying about half the typical debt burden. That 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can theoretically pay off their loans with less than four months of their first-year salary, compared to over eight months for the average program.

The state context is harder to interpret since Alaska only has two schools offering this program, but UAA appears competitive with the other option. Scoring in the 77th percentile nationally for earnings while the 95th percentile for low debt (meaning only 5% of programs nationwide have lower debt) suggests strong value regardless of regional benchmarks.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual student circumstances heavily influence these numbers. A few high or low earners can skew the picture significantly. Still, the debt figure alone—which reflects institutional aid and Alaska's unique college financing landscape—offers real financial protection even if your child's earnings fall below the median. For families prioritizing manageable debt over maximum earning potential, this program delivers concrete advantages over most alternatives nationwide.