Public Health at University of Arizona

University of Arizona's public health program starts graduates at $40,005—slightly below the state median but comfortably ahead of the national average. However, within Arizona, this program ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning three other in-state options deliver better early-career outcomes. Northern Arizona University graduates earn about $1,500 more right out of the gate, though the debt loads are comparable across Arizona programs.

The financial fundamentals work reasonably well here: $21,699 in debt against $40,000 in first-year earnings creates a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio. Plus, earnings climb 19% by year four to $47,452, suggesting decent career progression in the field. That growth trajectory matters in public health, where many graduates start in grant-funded or nonprofit positions before moving into better-compensated roles.

For Arizona families, this becomes a question of opportunity cost. If your child can get into NAU or ASU, those programs deliver similar or slightly better outcomes with comparable debt. But if U of A is the best fit academically or socially, the numbers certainly don't argue against it—you're looking at reasonable debt for a degree that performs above national standards, even if it's middle-of-the-pack locally.