Public Healthat San Diego State University
Graduates earn $41,092/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Public Health average. Base-case 10-year earnings $481K; scenarios range from $456K to $481K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at San Diego State
First-year earnings of $41,092 at San Diego State University come in 6% above the national median of $38,916 for Public Health programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Health programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Public Health's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $41,092 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #67 of 213 Public Health programs, San Diego State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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 San Diego State'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 San Diego State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at San Diego State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at San Diego State, 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 San Diego State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Health at San Diego State University?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Health field.
Will AI replace Public Health careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $456,213 in decade earnings vs $480,901 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.