Public Healthat American University
Graduates earn $42,194/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Public Health average. Base-case 10-year earnings $633K; scenarios range from $561K to $639K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at American University
At $42,194 per year, Public Health graduates from American University earn slightly above the $38,916 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.
AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $23,250 debt-to-$42,194 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #115 out of 213 programs, American University's financial outcomes for Public Health trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $42,194 to $67,737 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Public Health
How American University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at American University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at American University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Health offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Public Health trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Public Health at American University
How does American University's Public Health program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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.