Public Health Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of protecting and improving the health of communities and populations.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Public Health Overview
Study of protecting and improving the health of communities and populations.
Category
Healthcare
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
22%
Lifetime Premium
$420K
Female Graduates
72%
Public Health Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$402,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Public Health Salary Progression
Common Public Health Careers
Epidemiologist
Health Educator
Public Health Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Public Health
#1
Johns Hopkins
#2
Harvard
#3
University of Michigan
#4
Columbia
#5
Emory
Related Majors
Public Health Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Public Health Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for public health programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 150+ college majors.