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Public Health at Mercer University

Macon, GA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,108/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #210 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	$393K	$398K	$398K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$163,560

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$89,400

45% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

12.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $27,108 per year, Public Health graduates from Mercer University earn below the $38,916 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 12 months of the $27,108 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #210 of 213 Public Health programs, Mercer University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Mercer University

Mercer University accepts 66% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 4,620 students in Macon, GA. The average net cost of $89,400 over four years represents a 45% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Mercer 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

Other Majors at Mercer University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Health at Mercer University?

A score of 27/100 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 $397,983 in decade earnings vs $393,315 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Public Health from Mercer University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →