Public Health at University of Massachusetts-Amherst

UMass Amherst's Public Health program starts slow but gains momentum quickly—first-year graduates earn just $37,364, trailing the Massachusetts median by nearly $6,000 and ranking in only the 40th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap in a state where several competitors immediately place graduates above $42,000. However, the 59% earnings jump to $59,268 by year four tells a different story, suggesting this program builds valuable skills that take time to monetize in the job market.

The $26,000 debt load is reasonable and perfectly in line with national norms, creating a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio even in that sluggish first year. With robust sample data backing these figures, you're looking at reliable numbers from a program that's neither elite nor struggling—it sits squarely in the middle of the national pack. The real question is whether your student can weather that initial earnings period, possibly living at home or taking on a second job, to reach the more comfortable mid-career salary.

If your child needs immediate earning power after graduation—perhaps to handle loan payments independently or support themselves in an expensive market—this program's delayed payoff is a real consideration. But for families who can provide some runway, the four-year trajectory suggests solid ROI, especially at UMass's in-state tuition rates.