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Health Professions · Public Health Rank #154 of 213

Public Healthat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $36,181/yr in their first year — about 7.0% below the national Public Health average. Base-case 10-year earnings $452K; scenarios range from $436K to $450K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,181
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$452K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

The data might initially suggest a more modest financial outcome for Public Health graduates from U-M, but it's crucial to understand the field's dynamics. Many Public Health roles, particularly at the entry level, are in government agencies, non-profits, or community health organizations. These mission-driven sectors often offer competitive benefits and immense social impact rather than top-tier starting salaries. Your initial roles might include health education, program coordination, or research support, building a foundation for significant career growth.

U-M's program, with its robust research infrastructure and strong ties to Michigan Medicine, provides unparalleled opportunities for hands-on experience and networking. Graduates are highly sought after by state and local health departments, federal agencies like the CDC, and various non-governmental organizations. While AI will certainly impact data analysis and information dissemination, the core of public health — community engagement, policy development, and ethical leadership — remains deeply human. To maximize your financial trajectory, consider specializing early in areas like biostatistics or health economics, or planning for a Master's degree, which often unlocks management and senior research positions with significantly higher earning potential.

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
$436K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple6.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$452K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple6.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$450K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple6.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan'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 University of Michigan 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
Same state (MI)
Oakland University
MI · Public
67
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
11.4x
ROI
Also at University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 University of Michigan

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Health at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Public Health programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Health at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

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.