DegreeCalc

Public Health Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$67K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Public Health in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Public Health programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Public Health has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Epidemiology and Biostatistics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Public Health Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,960($-5,040 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$85,560($-6,440 vs national)

Note: National average Public Health salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Public Health ROI Calculator for Jackson

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

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$304,508

Lifetime earnings premium ($390,600) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Public Health in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Public Health

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Public Health in Jackson

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

CDCWHONIHState Health DepartmentsKaiser Permanente

Key Jackson 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 Jackson — 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 Jackson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators