Public Health at University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine's Public Health program starts graduates at below-average salaries but demonstrates impressive earning potential over time. While first-year earnings of $35,463 trail both national and California medians for public health programs, graduates see substantial income growth, reaching $53,761 by year four—a 52% increase that significantly outpaces typical career trajectories.

The debt picture is notably favorable, with graduates owing just $17,285 compared to the national average of $26,000 for public health programs. This puts UCI in the 87th percentile nationally for low debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49. Among California's 29 public health programs, UCI ranks at the 40th percentile for earnings—solidly middle-of-the-pack rather than top-tier, with programs like UC Berkeley and National University producing higher-earning graduates.

For families, this represents a program that prioritizes long-term growth over immediate financial returns. The combination of reasonable debt and strong earning trajectory suggests UCI graduates can build solid public health careers without crushing financial pressure. However, parents should understand their child will likely start with modest earnings compared to peers at other UC campuses or private alternatives.