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Public Health at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,867/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)

ROI 8.1x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #139 of 213 Public Health programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Health graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$454K	$456K	$439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.0x	8.1x	7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.3x	3.3x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,520

Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$79,556

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,812

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $36,867/yr, Public Health graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia land near the $38,916 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 8.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,812 debt-to-$36,867 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #139 out of 213 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's financial outcomes for Public Health trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

With 77% of applicants admitted, University of Missouri-Columbia prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 23,118 students in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr

Medical and health services managers $117,960/yr

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr

View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Health at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Missouri-Columbia

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Missouri-Columbia's Public Health program score?

This program scores 42/100 — 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →