Public Health at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
42
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

Program Analysis

While USC's prestige opens many doors, your Public Health degree's earning potential reflects the field's varied landscape, particularly in the Los Angeles market. Many graduates find fulfilling roles in government agencies like the LA County Department of Public Health, or within major non-profits and university medical centers, where the focus is often on community impact over top-tier salaries. The program's strong reputation helps graduates secure positions in these competitive environments, from managing health programs to contributing to policy analysis. The high AI risk isn't about job elimination, but rather a shift in required skills, as many administrative and data analysis tasks become automated. To maximize your long-term prospects, prioritize developing strong analytical skills, particularly in biostatistics or data science, alongside your core public health knowledge. This will make you indispensable in an evolving field.

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

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 →