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Health Professions · Public Health Rank #29 of 213

Public Healthat Central Washington University

Graduates earn $42,137/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Public Health average. Base-case 10-year earnings $541K; scenarios range from $498K to $543K depending on AI disruption.

Ellensburg, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
58
Optimistic
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,137
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$541K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Central Washington University

First-year earnings of $42,137 at Central Washington University come in 8% above the national median of $38,916 for Public Health programs.

With a 14.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Health career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $42,137 far exceeding the $20,326 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Central Washington University ranks #29 among 213 Public Health programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 32% earnings increase from $42,137 to $55,484 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$498K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$541K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$543K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Central Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Public Health graduates typically work

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.

1
Physicists
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$166,290/yr
Very High
2
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
3
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
4
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
5
Genetic counselors
+9.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$98,910/yr
High
6
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Public Health

How Central Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
TX · Public
59
DW Score
$100K
1-yr earn
Utah State University
UT · Public
76
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
20.0x
ROI
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Top score
Montana Technological University
MT · Public
80
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
29.7x
ROI
Oakland University
MI · Public
67
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Also at Central Washington University

Other top programs at Central Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Washington 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Public Health at Central Washington University

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Health at Central Washington University?

At 58/100, Central Washington University's Public Health program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Health at Central Washington University?

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.

Is Central Washington University one of the best schools for Public Health?

Among 213 Public Health programs, Central Washington University's #29 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.