What can you do with a Public Health degree from Northern Illinois University?

First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates from Northern Illinois University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Public Health graduates from Northern Illinois University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 72%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 26% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Public Health graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Public Health graduate from Northern Illinois University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 83%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Wellness Department Intern
AMITA Health
Jan 2020 - May 2020
The role of Wellness Department Intern involves direct application of public health knowledge and skills acquired during the Bachelor's degree, focusing on health promotion and community well-being.

Patient Care Technician
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
May 2020 - Aug 2020
As a Patient Care Technician, the job relies heavily on understanding patient care principles, which are foundational in public health, making it highly relevant.

Public Health Associate
DeKalb County Health Department (DeKalb, IL)
Jul 2020 - Oct 2022
The position of Public Health Associate directly utilizes the knowledge and skills from the Bachelor's degree in Public Health, as it involves implementing health programs and community outreach.

Environmental Health Practitioner/Solid Waste Associate
DeKalb County Health Department (DeKalb, IL)
Aug 2021 - Oct 2022
Working as an Environmental Health Practitioner/Solid Waste Associate requires application of public health principles in environmental safety and sanitation, directly aligning with the degree.

Director of Admissions
Bella Terra Streamwood
Aug 2022 - Present
The role of Director of Admissions may involve some organizational and communication skills relevant to public health education, but it does not require specific public health knowledge as a core qualification.

ABOUT

Primarily focused on healthcare services of older adults. Develops, implements, and maintains revenue-generating strategies related to admissions and patient capacity. Determines and implements admissions best-practices, develops and revises admission and discharge processes. Records and manages data for Medicare and Medicaid authorizations. Works to market and develop brochures, newsletters, advertisements, and other promotional material to increase facility or hospital brand awareness within the community. Determines admissions targets and develops relationships within the community to drive admissions numbers.

What jobs can you get with a Public Health degree from Northern Illinois University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the jobs held by Northern Illinois University graduates with a degree in Public Health, a few common themes emerge. Many individuals have found roles in health departments, specifically positions like Health Promotion Specialist, Public Health Associate, and Environmental Health Practitioner. These positions are directly tied to public health principles and practices, allowing graduates to apply their education in meaningful ways. Additionally, roles such as adjunct instructors and graduate assistants at the university also appear frequently, which help enhance their connections to the field and broaden their expertise. We'll also see several alumni working in healthcare settings, like administrative and management roles where they leverage their public health knowledge to improve systems and patient care. On the flip side, there are quite a few roles that aren't as closely aligned with public health. Many graduates have taken on administrative or human resources positions which don't utilize their public health skills directly. Jobs like Talent Acquisition Coordinator and Manager Assistant seem to stray from the core focus of public health. So overall, while many alumni manage to find positions that are directly related to their studies, there is also a notable number who end up in roles that don’t fully capitalize on their public health training. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s definitely a strong presence in public health-related positions for those who actively seek them out.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Health graduates (this is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University):

What kind of career trajectories do Public Health graduates from Northern Illinois University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Public Health, you can see a mix of solid public health roles and some that stray a bit off the path. Most graduates tend to kick off their careers with internships or entry-level public health positions, often in settings like local health departments or healthcare facilities. For example, many landed roles as public health interns, health promotion specialists, or administrative roles within health organizations shortly after graduation. As they gain experience, about 5 to 10 years later, many find themselves in more advanced positions, such as health department coordinators, program managers, and even director-level roles, indicating a clear upward trajectory in the public health sector.

However, it's worth noting that not everyone remained strictly in the public health arena. Some graduates ventured into administrative, sales, or even educational roles that aren't as directly related to their degree. But overall, a significant number of these alumni seem to be finding careers that align well with their public health education, which is a positive takeaway. Many are developing meaningful careers that are crucial in addressing community health issues, showcasing that a degree in Public Health can indeed lead to fulfilling and impactful careers."

How hard is a Public Health degree from Northern Illinois University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, whether at Northern Illinois University or anywhere else, tends to be more on the manageable side compared to some other degrees. You’ll definitely have your fair share of essays, group projects, and some science classes, but many students find the content pretty interesting and relatable, especially if you’re into health and community issues. It’s not a walk in the park, and you’ll need to stay organized and keep up with readings, but if you're motivated and put in the effort, you should find it rewarding without being super overwhelming. Overall, it's a good mix—challenging enough to keep you engaged, but not so tough that it feels impossible.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Health.

Do Public Health graduates from Northern Illinois University tend to make good money?

Alright, so let’s break it down. The grads from Northern Illinois University have taken quite the journey in their careers, and it’s a mixed bag when it comes to finding good-paying jobs. Those who graduated between 2010 and 2014 seem to have climbed the ranks pretty well; for example, one has worked their way up to director positions in health departments. On the other hand, several recent grads still seem to be starting off with more entry-level roles or internships, which typically don’t pay as much. Overall, while some of these folks are probably making decent money, especially in higher management roles or specialized positions, others are still in the early stages of their careers and might not be bringing home the big bucks just yet. So, it’s pretty clear that there’s potential for good earnings, but it really depends on how far along each person is in their career.

What buzzwords do Public Health graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Health (this is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Public Health?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Health (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Health graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Wayne State University 94 13
California State University-Los Angeles 80 12
University of Florida 78 10
Brigham Young University 77 20
University of Houston 77 17
San Diego State University 77 13
Tulane University 77 21
Temple University 76 17
Rutgers University 76 21
The University of Texas at Austin 75 12
University of California, Berkeley 74 32
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 74 16
Syracuse University 73 10
Northern Illinois University 72 15
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 72 11
Southern Connecticut State University 72 17
University of North Carolina Wilmington 72 13
The University of Texas at San Antonio 70 20
The Johns Hopkins University 69 17
University of South Carolina 68 42
University of Kentucky 67 12
UC Irvine 67 24
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 67 13
Brigham Young University - Idaho 66 21
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 66 10
University of Massachusetts Amherst 66 20
University of South Carolina-Columbia 66 10
University of Washington 65 27
University of South Florida 64 59
Northern Arizona University 64 22
Eastern Kentucky University 64 11
University of Arizona 63 33
California State University, Northridge 63 14
San Jose State University 62 24
College of Charleston 62 14
The Ohio State University 61 13
San Francisco State University 61 11
East Carolina University 61 28
California State University, Fullerton 61 13
University of Nevada, Reno 61 19
Montclair State University 60 10
University of North Florida 58 13
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 57 11
Texas A&M University 56 16
California State University, Los Angeles 56 10
Kent State University 51 15
University of Arkansas 51 10
Oregon State University 44 17