by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 157 U.S. colleges awarded 3,767 degrees and certificates in Public Health Education and Promotion. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 81 schools in its 2027 Best Public Health Education and Promotion Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $51,160 one year after completing, rising to $70,680 after four years.
A degree in Public Health Education and Promotion explores Public Health Education And Promotion. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Educational And Communications Principles And Methods To The Promotion Of Preventive Health Measures And The Education Of Targeted Populations On Health Issues, And Prepares Individuals To Function As Public Health Educators And Health Promotion Specialists. Includes Instruction In Human Development, Health Issues Across The Life Span, Population-Specific Health Issues, Principles And Methods Of Public Health Education, Administration Of Health Education Campaigns And Programs, Evaluation Methods, Public Communications, And Applications To Specific Public Health Subjects And Issues.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., public health education and promotion is a widely-pursued major, with 3,767 degrees awarded annually. 157 colleges award public health education and promotion degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 296.
By level, the 3,767 awards include 5 certificates, 125 associate degrees, 2,375 bachelor’s degrees, 1,162 master’s degrees and 100 doctorates.
Women earned 83% of public health education and promotion degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,129 of 3,767). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,749) and Black or African American (668), and international students earned 100.
College Factual ranks 81 schools in its 2027 Best Public Health Education and Promotion Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 65 for bachelor’s degrees, 37 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks public health education and promotion schools within 32 states. In all, 157 colleges offer public health education and promotion programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Public Health Education and Promotion Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common public health education and promotion credential is the bachelor’s degree: 2,375 of the 3,767 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to public health education and promotion call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a public health education and promotion degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 125 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,375 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,162 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 100 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to public health education and promotion, at 29.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 14.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Public Health Education and Promotion, with an average median salary of $67,430; the strongest outlook belongs to Community Health Workers, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Instructor, Nutrition Educator, Clinical Instructor and Infant Care Teacher.
The occupation related to public health education and promotion with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Community Health Workers | 300,538 | 13.4% |
| Health Education Specialists | 169,157 | 3.7% |
Public Health Education and Promotion graduates earn a median $51,160 one year after completing their program, $70,680 after four years and $71,212 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,160 |
| 4 years | $70,680 |
| 5 years | $71,212 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to public health education and promotion is Health Education Specialists, with a median salary of $81,726.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Education Specialists | $81,726 |
| Community Health Workers | $73,901 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Public Health Education and Promotion has 11 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 37,966 degrees a year; the largest are Public Health, General (24,834), Community Health and Preventive Medicine (3,539) and Public Health, Other (2,750). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health, General | 24,834 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 3,539 |
| Public Health, Other | 2,750 |
| Health Services Administration | 2,283 |
| International Public Health/International Health | 1,529 |
| Environmental Health | 1,309 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health | 759 |
| Health/Medical Physics | 334 |
| Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene | 300 |
| Maternal and Child Health | 225 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
