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Health Professions · Public Health Rank #211 of 213

Public Healthat Ithaca College

Graduates earn $32,112/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Public Health average. Base-case 10-year earnings $497K; scenarios range from $467K to $497K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
28
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,112
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$497K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Ithaca College

The outcomes for this Public Health program highlight a challenging landscape, particularly for new graduates. Ithaca, while a vibrant college town, isn't a major hub for public health employers, meaning you'll likely face stiff competition for local entry-level roles or need to relocate to find opportunities. Many foundational public health positions, especially with a bachelor's degree, often involve community outreach, health education, or administrative support, roles that may not command high starting salaries.

The higher-earning career paths listed on this page typically require advanced degrees like an MPH, significant work experience, or specific certifications that go beyond an undergraduate curriculum. Don't assume those outcomes are typical directly from this program. Furthermore, the high AI risk indicates that some entry-level tasks in the field could become automated, intensifying the competition for available positions. To navigate this, focus intensely on securing internships and building a strong professional network early on. This hands-on experience and direct connections will be crucial for distinguishing yourself in a competitive market and potentially offsetting the need for immediate graduate studies.

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
$467K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Ithaca College'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 Ithaca College 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 Ithaca College

Other top programs at Ithaca College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ithaca College, 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 Ithaca College

How does Ithaca College's Public Health program score?

This program scores 27/100 — 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 Ithaca College?

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