Location: Merced, CA•In-State Tuition: $14,167•Out-of-State Tuition: $44,944•Admission Rate: 39%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,555
41st percentile
40th percentile in California
Median Debt
$15,502
40% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.42 ManageableSample: 111 graduates

Analysis

UC Merced's Public Health program achieves something noteworthy that matters to anxious parents: graduates leave with barely any debt. At $15,502, the median debt burden sits in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of public health programs nationwide saddle students with MORE debt. For a UC campus serving primarily middle- and lower-income families (59% receive Pell grants), this financial accessibility is a genuine strength.

The tradeoff comes in earnings. First-year graduates earn $36,555, which lands around the 40th percentile both nationally and statewide. That's roughly $2,500 below California's median for public health majors and nearly $12,000 less than what UC Berkeley grads earn in the same field. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with less than half of their first year's salary—a manageable starting position that many programs can't match.

For families prioritizing minimized debt over maximum starting salary, this represents sound value. Your child won't graduate at the top of the earnings ladder, but they also won't spend years digging out from under loan payments. The question is whether the $12,000 earnings gap compared to top California programs will persist long-term or narrow as graduates gain experience—something worth investigating through alumni networks or LinkedIn research.

Where University of California-Merced Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally

University of California-MercedOther public health programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of California-Merced graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of California-Merced earns $37k — 41th percentile among public health bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (29 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of California-MercedMerced$14,167$36,555—$15,5020.42
National UniversitySan Diego$13,320$52,057$49,794$37,4690.72
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley$14,850$48,351$67,892$11,7290.24
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$59,241$47,274$62,238$24,5000.52
California Baptist UniversityRiverside$39,720$46,263—$35,2870.76
California State University-ChicoChico$8,064$45,339—$20,7500.46
National Median—$37,548—$26,0000.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates

Physicists

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

$166,290/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Genetic Counselors

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

$98,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Epidemiologists

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Climate Change Policy Analysts

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Restoration Planners

Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

$80,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

$78,900/yrJobs growth:
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 University of California-Merced, approximately 59% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 111 graduates with reported earnings and 147 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.