Public Health at University of Michigan-Dearborn

This program carries less debt than nearly 80% of public health bachelor's programs nationwide—$20,500 versus a national median of $26,000—which matters significantly given the modest starting salaries typical in this field. Based on comparable programs across Michigan, first-year earnings hover around $36,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. You're looking at roughly seven months of gross salary in debt, a workable starting point even if those early paychecks feel tight.

What's harder to gauge is trajectory. Public health careers span everything from community health work to hospital administration, with vastly different earning paths. The data from peer Michigan programs shows a wide spread—Oakland grads earning $59,000 versus Wayne State grads at $33,000—suggesting your child's specific career focus and networking will matter more than the degree itself. UM-Dearborn's substantial Pell population (44%) and accessible admissions suggest strong support systems for first-generation students, though you'll want to understand what internship pipelines and career placement look like specifically.

The lower debt load is this program's clearest advantage. With estimated starting earnings slightly below the national median for public health grads, your child won't face the suffocating debt burden that makes many health-focused careers financially untenable early on. Press the school on where recent graduates actually landed jobs and whether those positions offer the kind of growth that makes public health degrees worthwhile long-term.