Compare 6 Public Health. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $48,850.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Health tells a different story. Across 6 programs, earnings range from $33,380 to $76,175—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Illinois State University's Public Health program leads with graduates earning $76,175, far exceeding the $48,850 average. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows at $61,751, while University of Illinois Chicago delivers $46,816. The $43K gap between top and bottom programs shows why individual evaluation beats institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Illinois State University graduates borrow $20,482 and face just a 5.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly accessible.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $76,175 | 43 | $20,482 | Excellent | $28,767 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $61,751 | 193 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $46,816 | 29 | $16,704 | Good | $24,323 | High | |
| #4 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $39,956 | 37 | $15,000 | Good | $26,966 | High |
| #5 | $35,023 | 38 | $20,500 | Challenging | $21,500 | High | |
| #6 | $33,380 | 50 | $18,618 | Challenging | $13,991 | 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 →
