Public Health at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,612/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #135 of 213 Public Health programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Health graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $468K $469K $448K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.6x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.6x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,375
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,295
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,612 track close to the $38,916 national median for Public Health programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Health programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Health's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,375 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,612 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #135 of 213 Public Health programs, Eastern Kentucky University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,612 to $43,295 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 11,674 in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Medical and health services managers $117,960/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Health at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Health at Eastern Kentucky University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Health. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Public Health careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $447,844 in decade earnings vs $468,312 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →