Home › University of Southern Mississippi › Public Health

Public Health at University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,363/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

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

ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #202 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	$417K	$420K	$413K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.8x	10.9x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.0x	9.0x	8.9x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,472

Out-of-state: $46,472 (9.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,896

-48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,575

10.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$34,209

21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Southern Mississippi's Public Health graduates start at $28,363/yr, trailing the $38,916 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,575 debt-to-$28,363 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #202 out of 213 programs, University of Southern Mississippi's financial outcomes for Public Health trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,363 to $34,209 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Southern Mississippi

A 99% acceptance rate means University of Southern Mississippi is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 9,899 students in Hattiesburg, MS. 47% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Mississippi →

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 University of Southern Mississippi

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Southern Mississippi's Public Health program score?

This program scores 31/100 — 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.

Why are Public Health earnings lower at University of Southern Mississippi?

Lower starting pay at University of Southern Mississippi may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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