Analysis
A bachelor's degree in public health from Ursuline College likely comes with estimated debt of $27,000—tracking right at Ohio's median for this field—but peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $37,900. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.71, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first year's salary. While this falls within manageable territory by conventional lending standards, it's worth noting that public health salaries start modest compared to many bachelor's degrees, and growth in this field often depends heavily on additional credentials or pivoting into related healthcare roles.
Ohio's public health programs show considerable variation in outcomes. Bowling Green State produces graduates earning $47,000 in their first year—nearly $10,000 more than the state median—while most programs cluster in the high-$30,000 range. Without actual data from Ursuline's own graduates, it's unclear where this program falls within that spectrum, though the estimates suggest typical rather than standout performance. The question becomes whether the smaller, personalized environment at Ursuline (which serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students) offers networking advantages or specialized training that could compensate for starting salaries that may lag behind larger state institutions.
If your child is passionate about community health and willing to manage modest starting earnings, this field offers meaningful work. But press Ursuline for their actual graduate outcomes and career placement rates before committing—estimates only tell you what similar programs achieve, not what this specific one delivers.
Where Ursuline College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public health bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Public Health bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (27 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,860 | $37,883* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $14,081 | $47,019* | — | $30,500* | 0.65 | |
| $7,272 | $39,159* | $42,596 | $28,884* | 0.74 | |
| $12,846 | $39,159* | $42,596 | $28,884* | 0.74 | |
| $6,178 | $37,883* | — | $27,000* | 0.71 | |
| $6,178 | $37,883* | — | $27,000* | 0.71 | |
| National Median | — | $37,548* | — | $26,000* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public health graduates
Physicists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Genetic Counselors
Epidemiologists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Climate Change Policy Analysts
Environmental Restoration Planners
Industrial Ecologists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
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 Ursuline College, approximately 39% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 14 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.