Public Health at University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy's public health program starts graduates at $35,598—below both the national median and Michigan's typical $36,181. Among Michigan's 15 public health programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Oakland University ($59,330) and Eastern Michigan ($38,781) by significant margins. The good news is that earnings climb 26% by year four to $44,785, suggesting the degree opens doors to career advancement even if the entry point is modest.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $30,944, graduates here borrow about 20% more than Michigan's typical public health student but end up with a manageable 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means roughly 10 months of first-year salary to repay loans—not ideal, but workable for most graduates, especially as earnings grow.

The critical caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers may not reflect the full range of outcomes. For parents considering this $30,944 investment, the trajectory matters more than the starting point. If your child is motivated to advance in public health careers where experience pays off, the earnings growth justifies the debt. But if they're comparing multiple Michigan options, understand this program starts behind its in-state peers and may take several years to catch up financially.