General
Community And Public Health
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Community And Public Health.
Entry Level Salary
$39,568
Median Salary
$78,094
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
28.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,123,760
Entry (Early)
$39,568
Median (Prime)
$78,094
High (Prime)
$80,232
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-99k
+228k
+245k
$25k / yr
-189k
+138k
+155k
$50k / yr
-279k
+48k
+65k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
35
34
$50k / yr
Never
48
45
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-174%
127%
143%
$50k / yr
-128%
22%
30%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate37.3%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Management occupations
5.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$81,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Registered nurses
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,174
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,888|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Medical and health services managers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,094|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Physicians
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,434
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,190|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,774
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$49,459|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Office and administrative support occupations
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,375
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$51,915|$46,320
openings
1,996,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.9%
Life scientists
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,228
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,888|$90,500
openings
28,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,351
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$78,900
openings
18,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +11.7%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,000|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Customer service representatives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$24,990
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,000|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| public health. | Undergrad Certificate | 37 | $36,698 - $36,698 |
| public health. | Associate's Degree | 60 | $39,409 - $50,630 |
| public health. | Bachelor's Degree | 360 | $36,436 - $101,771 |
| public health. | Post-bacc Certificate | 28 | $64,138 - $93,536 |
| public health. | Master's Degree | 337 | $38,983 - $166,705 |
| public health. | Doctoral Degree | 100 | $86,342 - $169,322 |
| public health. | First Professional Degree | 10 | $73,749 - $116,416 |
| public health. | Graduate Certificate | 77 | $55,423 - $140,663 |