Home › University of California-Merced › Public Health

Public Health at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,555/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.0x earnings multiple (2.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #150 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 $452K $454K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.0x 8.0x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.5x 2.5x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,668
Out-of-state: $179,776 (2.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,976
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,250
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $36,555/yr, Public Health graduates from University of California-Merced land near the $38,916 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

A 8.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Health career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $15,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #150 ranking among 213 Public Health programs places University of California-Merced in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About University of California-Merced

A 39% acceptance rate puts University of California-Merced in competitive admissions territory, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Merced →

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

Compare this program → View all 213 schools offering Public Health →

Public Health at Other Schools

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ($99,671) Utah State University ($76,451) Brown University ($75,909) Montana Technological University ($74,771) Oakland University ($59,330) Illinois State University ($59,207) North Carolina A & T State University ($58,660) Tufts University ($53,372)

Other Majors at University of California-Merced

Mechanical Engineering ($67,096) Computer Engineering ($58,835) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($57,223) Economics ($51,212) Chemistry ($50,944) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($47,028) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,378) Applied Mathematics ($39,138)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Public Health trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Health at University of California-Merced?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Public Health programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Public Health at University of California-Merced?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →