What can you do with a Public Health degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Public Health graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
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, 55% 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst and our analysis:


Relevance score: 43%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Health. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Au Pair
Host Family
Jun 2017 - Mar 2018
As an Au Pair, the responsibilities mainly involve childcare and household duties, which do not require public health-specific knowledge or skills.

Toddler Teacher
KinderCare Education
Apr 2018 - Sep 2020
The position as a Toddler Teacher may utilize some understanding of child development relevant to public health, but it does not directly apply core public health knowledge on a daily basis.

Kindergarten Teacher
The Learning Well
Sep 2020 - Jun 2023
Working as a Kindergarten Teacher can involve elements of health education but is primarily focused on general education, thus only loosely related to public health.

Student Teacher
Indian Head Elementary
Sep 2023 - Nov 2023
The role of a Student Teacher in an elementary setting does not necessitate public health knowledge and is mainly concerned with educational practices rather than health-related skills.

Instructional Paraprofessional
Indian Head Elementary School
Nov 2023 - Present
The Instructional Paraprofessional role may use some interpersonal skills relevant to health education, but it is not a position focused on applying public health core qualifications.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Education - MEd
Merrimack College
2021 - 2023
ABOUT

Experienced Teacher with a demonstrated history of working in education. Strong professional with good leadership and interpersonal skills. Dedicated to helping creative, stimulating, and learning-focused classroom environment. Holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelor of Science degree focused in Public Health.

What jobs can you get with a Public Health degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

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


When looking at the career paths of graduates from the Public Health program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, it’s clear that many of them have pursued jobs that are fairly relevant to the field. Common roles include positions at healthcare organizations like hospitals, public health divisions, and community services where graduates can apply their knowledge in real-world settings. For instance, roles like Public Health Associate at CDC and Program Coordinator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital demonstrate a direct application of public health principles. These jobs often focus on program development, education, and community health, which align well with the skills learned during their studies.

However, not every position was closely tied to public health. Some graduates took on roles like teaching or administrative work that didn't fully utilize their specific training. For example, jobs like being an Au Pair or a Sales Associate at a café might include soft skills or general knowledge relevant to health, but they don't directly connect to the core public health concepts. Overall, while a significant number of graduates have found roles that directly relate to their Public Health degrees, there is a notable amount that ventured into positions less aligned with their training, reflecting both the versatility of their skills and the varying job markets they entered.

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 University of Massachusetts Amherst):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Public Health degree, it looks like many students kick off their journeys in roles that are pretty relevant to the field. Right after graduation, a lot of them are finding their first jobs as case coordinators, program coordinators, or teaching roles, often in healthcare settings or nonprofits focused on community welfare. For instance, graduates from 2011 to 2016 landed jobs in case work and coordination at various health organizations, which is a solid start when you're aiming to make an impact in public health.

Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and the trajectories generally look promising. Many have progressed into director or manager roles, such as program directors and coordinators for health centers and educational services. There are also graduates who have made impressive leaps into specialized positions, like clinical coordinators or public health associates at well-known organizations like the CDC. While some might find themselves in less directly related jobs after a few years, overall, it seems like a lot of these folks are carving out successful careers that genuinely contribute to public health. It’s a mix, sure, but there seems to be a strong foundation leading graduates into meaningful work.

How hard is a Public Health degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Hey! So, honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at UMass Amherst is about average in terms of difficulty. You’ll definitely be doing a lot of reading, writing papers, and getting into some pretty complex topics like health policy, epidemiology, and community health. While some students find the coursework manageable and even enjoyable, others might feel a bit overwhelmed, especially during exams or projects. It’s not super easy, but it’s also not the hardest degree out there. If you have an interest in health and a willingness to put in the work, you’ll likely find it pretty doable! Just stay organized and reach out for help when you need it, and you’ll be fine!

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 University of Massachusetts Amherst tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Public Health grads from UMass Amherst, it seems like they have shown a mix of financial success and challenges. For the earlier graduates, especially those who started in more entry-level roles like case coordinators and educators, it might not have felt like they were raking in the big bucks right away. Positions like Program Director and Trial Social Worker do suggest that their salaries improved over time, particularly in roles linked to health and social work, where the demand for skilled professionals is high. The more recent grads, especially those moving into positions like Physician Assistants and in program coordination, are likely earning decent salaries as they step into roles that typically offer better pay. Overall, while not all of them may be rolling in it, many seem to be on a solid path to making good money as they gain experience.

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 University of Massachusetts Amherst). 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