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Public Health Degree in Brownsville, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Public Health degree analysis for Brownsville, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$42K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$60K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.6 yrs

in Brownsville

Cost of Living

83

index (100 = avg)

Public Health in Brownsville, TX Overview

Brownsville, Texas (pop. 186,738) has 7 colleges offering Public Health programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $868/month. Public Health has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Epidemiology and Biostatistics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Brownsville is approximately $41,500.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

7

Public Tuition

$8,416/yr

Private Tuition

$32,593/yr

Room & Board

$12,079/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$12,908/yr

Unemployment

6.5%

Graduation Rate

46%

Public Health Salary in Brownsville (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Brownsville's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,500($-8,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$59,760($-12,240 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$76,360($-15,640 vs national)

Note: National average Public Health salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Brownsville adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Health ROI Calculator for Brownsville

Estimate your return on investment for a Public Health degree using local Brownsville tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,416 | Private avg: $32,593

Brownsville avg aid: $12,908/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$81,980

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,450

vs HS diploma in Brownsville

ROI Payback Period

6.6 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Brownsville

$266,620

Lifetime earnings premium ($348,600) minus total education cost ($81,980)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Health in Brownsville

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$81,980
Monthly Payment$931
Total Interest$29,724
% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$81,980
Monthly Payment$1,604
Total Interest$14,262
Interest Savings$15,462

Colleges in Brownsville for Public Health

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

public

$8,416/yr

$33,664 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Texas Southmost College

$2,604/yr

Top Employers for Public Health in Brownsville

Brownsville offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Public Health graduates. National top employers in this field include:

CDCWHONIHState Health DepartmentsKaiser Permanente

Key Brownsville Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Public Health Job Titles

EpidemiologistHealth EducatorPublic Health Analyst

Public Health Degree in Brownsville — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Public Health ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Brownsville.

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