What can you do with a Public Health degree from San Diego State University?

First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates from San Diego State 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Public Health graduates from San Diego State University have a higher likelihood (+10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 77%
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, 61% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Public Health graduate.

See the details:

View a random Public Health graduate from San Diego State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 84%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Health. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Research Assistant
SDSU Research Foundation
May 2012 - Dec 2012
As a Research Assistant at SDSU Research Foundation, the role involves research skills and knowledge in public health, which align closely with the Bachelor's degree in Public Health.

Research Assistant
SDSU Research Foundation
Jul 2012 - Dec 2013
This Research Assistant position at SDSU Research Foundation also directly employs public health research methods and knowledge, making it highly relevant.

Partnership Coordinator
Cancer Care Access Partnership (CCAP)
Mar 2014 - Dec 2014
As a Partnership Coordinator at Cancer Care Access Partnership, this role requires strong knowledge of public health initiatives and partnerships, aligning well with the degree.

Research Assistant
San Diego State University (SDSU) Research Foundation
Mar 2014 - Dec 2014
The position as a Research Assistant at San Diego State University Research Foundation utilizes public health knowledge and skills extensively, making it directly relevant.

Research Assistant
San Diego Sate University Research Foundation
Jun 2014 - Dec 2014
This Research Assistant position at San Diego State University Research Foundation entails public health-related research activities, making it highly relevant.

Research Assistant
San Diego State University Research Foundation
Mar 2014 - Sep 2014
As a Research Assistant at San Diego State University Research Foundation, this role involves applying public health knowledge and methods, making it directly relevant.

Research Assistant
San Diego State University Research Foundation
Jan 2014 - Jun 2015
The Research Assistant role at San Diego State University Research Foundation requires knowledge and skills gained in public health research, thereby making it very relevant.

Program Evaluation Assistant
San Diego State University Research Foundation
Jun 2015 - Jun 2016
Working as a Program Evaluation Assistant at San Diego State University Research Foundation directly applies public health evaluation methods and principles, making it highly relevant.

Assistant Manager/ Server
Sushi Deli, Inc.
Jan 2012 - Jan 2013
The Assistant Manager/ Server position at Sushi Deli, Inc. does not utilize public health knowledge or skills significantly, making it unrelated to the degree.

Data Assistant II
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Jan 2017 - May 2018
As a Data Assistant II at Family Health Centers of San Diego, this role involves collecting and analyzing data relevant to public health, making it applicable to the degree.

Graduate Research Assistant
University of Colorado Denver
Sep 2019 - Jun 2020
The Graduate Research Assistant role at University of Colorado Denver directly involves research related to public health, making it highly relevant.

Transplant Assistant
UC San Diego
Oct 2021 - Jan 2022
The Transplant Assistant position at UC San Diego may involve some basic understanding of public health concepts, but it is not the core focus of the job.

Clinical Research Administrative Assistant
UC San Diego
Oct 2021 - Jan 2022
The Clinical Research Administrative Assistant position at UC San Diego may utilize some administrative skills that overlap with public health, but it is not directly focused on public health knowledge.

Research Grants & Contracts Specialist
Huron
Jan 2022 - Mar 2023
As a Research Grants & Contracts Specialist at Huron, while it may involve aspects of research funding related to public health, the role does not primarily require public health knowledge and skills, thus is only tangentially relevant.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Public Health (MPH)
University of Colorado Denver
2018 - 2020
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Public Health degree from San Diego State University?

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


When looking at the job outcomes for graduates with a Public Health degree from San Diego State University, a clear trend emerges. Many alumni have pursued positions such as Research Assistants and Health Educators, which are highly relevant to the field. Roles like Research Assistant at various institutions involve hands-on research that directly relies on public health principles. Similarly, Health Educators at departments of public health effectively apply their knowledge to create community health programs and education initiatives, showcasing the importance of their degree in real-world settings. Other common jobs include roles related to program evaluation and health policy analysis, further emphasizing the analytical and evaluative skills gained during their studies.

However, not all positions align perfectly with their education. Some graduates have taken roles in administrative or support functions, like Patient Service Representatives or Medical Insurance Billers. While these jobs offer valuable experience in healthcare environments, they tend to focus more on operational aspects rather than the core competencies of public health. Overall, it seems that while many graduates find relevant roles that utilize their Public Health training, there’s a portion that ends up in positions where they don’t directly apply their specialized knowledge every day. So, it’s a mixed bag; some go on to truly impactful careers in public health, while others may end up in roles that, while beneficial, aren't strictly public health-focused.

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 San Diego State University):

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

Graduates from San Diego State University's Public Health program tend to start their careers with positions that are closely related to health research, education, and community engagement. For many, the first job often revolves around roles like research assistants or health educators, which offer valuable experience in the public health field. As we see from the profiles, several graduates took on positions at research foundations or local health departments soon after graduation, indicating that they typically land jobs that are quite relevant to their degree. This foundational experience seems to set them up well for future opportunities, as many have continued to build upon those roles or progressed into higher-level positions within public health.

Five to ten years down the line, graduates often find themselves in more specialized roles within public health. Many transition from entry-level positions to more significant roles such as health program analysts, community organizers, or even managerial roles within health organizations. For instance, those who started as research assistants often become program evaluation coordinators or health educators in various organizations. Overall, it appears that the majority of SDSU Public Health graduates are carving out successful careers that are closely aligned with their field of study, contributing positively to community health and public policy efforts. While a few may have taken detours into unrelated fields initially, many seem to find their way back into public health, demonstrating the program's lasting impact on their professional trajectories.

How hard is a Public Health degree from San Diego State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at San Diego State University—or any school, really—has its challenges but isn’t the toughest path out there. You’ll dive into a mix of subjects like epidemiology, health policy, and even some statistics, which can be tricky if math isn’t your thing. However, the workload is generally manageable, especially if you stay organized and keep up with assignments. Plus, you’ll likely find the classes engaging if you’re passionate about health and helping communities. So, if you put in the effort and stay committed, it's definitely doable!

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 San Diego State University tend to make good money?

So, looking at the job history of the Public Health graduates from San Diego State University, it seems like they’re on pretty decent paths, but the money might not be as high as some might expect right out of college. The earlier graduates hopped around a lot in roles like research assistants and health educators, which typically aren't the highest-paying jobs. It seems like many started with entry-level positions in health departments or research, which can pay okay but often require time and experience to really rack up the cash. For the more recent grads, like the ones from 2023, they might still be getting their feet wet in their careers with initial roles like medical assistants and community outreach workers, which again typically have moderate salaries. Overall, while they’re all gaining valuable experience, it might take a few more years or promotions before they see that paycheck skyrocket!

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 San Diego State 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