Compare 5 Public Health. programs in Oregon. Average earnings: $48,677.
With top graduates earning $53,718, Public Health stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $5K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Pacific University's Public Health program leads with graduates earning $53,718, well above the state average of $48,677. Oregon State University follows at $50,070, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't confined to private institutions. The earnings spread across all 5 programs shows program-specific factors drive results.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Pacific University graduates borrow $23,223 and face just a 10.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making the higher earnings worthwhile.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | $53,718 | 23 | $23,223 | Good | $33,960 | High |
| #2 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $50,070 | 160 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
| #3 | $50,070 | 6 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High | |
| #4 | $45,655 | 156 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,859 | High | |
| #5 | $43,870 | 52 | $20,609 | Manageable | $23,014 | 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 →