Compare 13 Public Health. programs in California. Average earnings: $51,205.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Health tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $34,909 to $67,892—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
UC Berkeley's Public Health program leads with graduates earning $67,892, well above the $51,205 average. But the real story is how USC ($62,308) and Santa Clara ($62,238) compete at the top despite vastly different admission rates—10% versus 44%—proving program outcomes don't mirror school selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 3.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Cal State Northridge leads with a 12.7% family burden, showing the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $67,892
Strong outcomes ($60,106) with 56% acceptance
3.9% payment burden | Excellent
12.7% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $67,892 | 228 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $62,308 | 104 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $62,238 | 53 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | High |
| #4 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $60,106 | 84 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | High |
| #5 | $54,285 | 358 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $53,761 | 501 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $53,015 | 250 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $49,280 | 37 | $26,063 | Manageable | $31,387 | High | |
| #9 | $45,339 | 59 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $44,886 | 195 | $13,000 | Excellent | $12,526 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $41,092 | 85 | $15,000 | Good | $25,565 | High | |
| #12 | $36,555 | 122 | $16,144 | Manageable | $18,376 | High | |
| #13 | $34,909 | 100 | $13,750 | Manageable | $16,538 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
