Public Health at Utah Tech University

Utah's public health bachelor's programs cluster in a relatively narrow earnings band, with similar programs across the state suggesting first-year salaries around $40,000. That's actually above the national median of $37,548, though the range among Utah schools is striking—from about $37,000 at the University of Utah to over $76,000 at Utah State. Without reported data from Utah Tech specifically, it's difficult to know where this program lands in that spectrum, but the state-wide pattern suggests modest starting salaries are typical for this field.

The estimated debt load of $14,541 is the program's most encouraging feature. That's nearly half the national median of $26,000 for public health degrees, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36—meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary. This is manageable by most standards, especially given that public health careers often involve working in nonprofit or government sectors where loan forgiveness programs may be available.

The key uncertainty here is whether Utah Tech's program performs more like the higher earners (Utah State, Westminster) or clusters with the lower-earning majority. If your child is drawn to public health, this program's estimated low debt makes it a relatively low-risk option, but you should investigate what distinguishes the higher-earning programs—whether it's location, specialization, or graduate school preparation—to understand what might drive better outcomes.