Public Health at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,207/yr (52% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 213 Public Health programs Top 5%

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 $715K $705K $612K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.2x 11.0x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.3x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,009
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,534
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Illinois State University's Public Health program earn $59,207/yr in their first year — 52% above the $38,916 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,009 in median debt against $59,207 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #5 of 213 nationally, this is a top-5% Public Health program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $59,207 to $83,534 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 18,414 students in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State 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 Illinois State University?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Health field.
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 $611,634 in decade earnings vs $714,669 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Illinois State University's Public Health program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 213 programs nationally, Illinois State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →