Public Health at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC-Greensboro's public health graduates start earning $42,239—about $4,700 above the national median for this degree and $4,900 above North Carolina's median. Among the state's 20 public health programs, this ranks solidly at the 60th percentile, though it trails standouts like NC A&T ($58,660) and Duke ($45,921). The $25,500 in typical debt equals the state median and creates a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can realistically pay down loans on entry-level salaries.

The concerning trend is what happens next: earnings drop to $40,000 by year four, a 5% decline when most careers should be gaining momentum. This suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling in entry-level public health roles or struggling to advance without additional credentials like an MPH. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) adds some uncertainty, but this pattern warrants attention given how common graduate degrees are in public health fields.

For parents, this program offers a reasonable starting position but limited growth trajectory. If your child is passionate about public health and committed to pursuing a master's degree within a few years, this provides solid preparation at a fair price through an accessible institution. If they hope the bachelor's degree alone will lead to career advancement, the earnings plateau suggests they may need to reassess that expectation or consider programs with stronger four-year outcomes.