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Public Health at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,300/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

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

ROI 2.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #132 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	$804K	$790K	$671K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.9x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$272,948

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$127,708

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$81,522

125% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,300 track close to the $38,916 national median for Public Health programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,000 in median debt against $36,300 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #132 of 213 Public Health programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $81,522 show a 125% jump from the $36,300 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, one of the larger campuses at 20,817 students in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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 Southern California

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Health at University of Southern California?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Health. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $670,855 in decade earnings vs $803,739 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Public Health?

After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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