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.
Public Health was the 26th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 40,596 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 2,576 over the prior year, a growth of 6.3%.
Our 2023 Best Public Health Schools ranking analyzes 518 of these 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.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Make a meaningful impact and improve quality of life with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
The online MPH degree at SNHU gives you a solid grounding in the scientific basis of public health, preparing you to effect change for entire populations.
BS in Community Health Education
Focus on improving the health of individuals based on their lifestyle needs with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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.
public health degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic public health program qualifications, to serve in some public health careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Public Health degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in public health to the highest public health degree, a . Public Health programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to public health, with approximately 40.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for public health workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 42.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 5.2% |
About 84.8% of workers in careers related to public health obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in public health have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the public health career you are seeking.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your public health degree? Public Health careers are expected to grow 19.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public health.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 424,300 | 20.5% |
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists | 99,400 | 11.1% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 90,500 | 8.1% |
| Community Health Workers | 67,800 | 17.9% |
Recently graduated public health students earned an average of $43,158 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $20,729 to as high as $124,176. As you might expect, salaries for public health graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for public health graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers public health grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Physicists | $125,280 |
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $113,730 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists | $77,580 |
| Epidemiologists | $75,690 |
With over 2,056 different public health degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased public health school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Public Health that might interest you.
BA in Sociology - Community Health
Become a force for the public good by exploring current trends in health and health policy from a national and global perspective with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Global Health
Be a driving force for change in the world when you earn your online Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health at Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare
Fast track your goals with your online MSN in Population Healthcare from Southern New Hampshire University.
One of 30 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Public Health has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Public Health | 22,778 |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 4,563 |
| Other Public Health | 3,432 |
| Health Services Administration | 3,119 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 2,272 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
Image Credit: By Article 25 Flickr under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
