by our College Data Analytics TeamAlthough the medical field has made large advancements over the last century, there are still many people who lack necessary medical care. If you would like to work in a field that allows you to help others reach a state of well-being, consider majoring in Public Health.
With a degree in Public Health, students learn how government programs, education and awareness, communication, and funding play a role in the lack of medical services. You will take classes in biology, human physiology, nutrition, infectious diseases, health policy, and government policy to learn how to improve access to health services, decrease the spread of diseases, reduce substance abuse, and spread information to the general public about health concerns.
Some students choose to major in general Public Health, while others decide to narrow their focus to specific areas such as Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Maternal and Child Health, International Public Health, and Behavioral Aspects of Health, among others.
Studying Public Health involves the study of Public Health. Continue reading for the important information every public health student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering public health programs.
Across the country, public health draws strong interest, with 41,086 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Public Health Schools ranking analyzes these 754 schools to determine the best overall colleges for public health students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of public health programs later in this article.
Studies in Public Health build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations public health graduates commonly enter.
Students who major in Public Health should have a passion for helping others. You will devote your time to trying to change government policy, improve available medical resources, and encourage the overall health of communities both within the U.S. and abroad. Strong communication and interpersonal skills will help as you work with community leaders or the general public to spread information and aid in improving healthcare.
Public Health graduates work in fulltime positions improving the health and safety of people around the world. You may work in an office or travel spreading information or raising funds. Since this is an interdisciplinary field, there are many work environments available to you.
A degree in Public Health is usually a graduate degree; however some schools do offer this as a bachelor's program. A graduate degree will provide students with more training in the field and may increase job prospects.
Skills developed in a public health program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a public health major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several public health degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 146 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,080 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 18,120 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20,506 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,208 |
People currently working in careers related to public health tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in public health careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Public Health leads to numerous career opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad. Some graduates have gone into health communications, nutrition, health education, biostatistics, and epidemiology at organizations such as the Peace Corps, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. You will be equipped with the skills to work with any business or organization spreading information and improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of people around the world.
Majoring in public health opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to public health.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public health.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | 3,289,795 | 13.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Coroners | 499,816 | -4.9% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | 373,276 | 14.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of public health graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,939 |
| 4 years | $60,432 |
| 5 years | $70,561 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for public health graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers public health grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Coroners | $110,095 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Epidemiologists | $87,636 |
With 754 different public health programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased public health school rankings to help you.
Those considering public health, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health, General | 25,004 |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 3,785 |
| Public Health, Other | 2,803 |
| Health Services Administration | 2,629 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 2,571 |
| International Public Health/International Health | 1,500 |
| Environmental Health | 1,269 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health | 623 |
| Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene | 313 |
| Health/Medical Physics | 288 |
| Maternal and Child Health | 180 |
| Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality | 121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
