Public Health at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,023/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #153 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 $443K $445K $431K
Earnings Multiple 8.6x 8.6x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,688
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,784
-6% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Public Health program produces graduates earning $35,023/yr — within striking distance of the $38,916 national average for this field.

At 8.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$35,023 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #153 out of 213 programs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's financial outcomes for Public Health trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

A 97% acceptance rate means Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 8,836 in Edwardsville, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville →

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

How does Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's Public Health program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Public Health. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Public Health to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Public Health careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →