2026 Best General Public Health Schools in Illinois
General Public Health degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general public health programs.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general public health schools.
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Best Schools for General Public Health in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general public health education in Illinois.
Top Schools in General Public Health
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general public health. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 66 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $53,408 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $14,684 in student loans.
See the full general public health program report for Northwestern University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 19 general public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $48,900 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,678 in student loans.
See the full general public health program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 227 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $74,653 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general public health from University Of Illinois At Chicago
A rank of #4 makes Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois one of the top schools for general public health. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates 42% of students within six years. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois awarded about 111 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn around $68,487 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146.
See the full general public health program report for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general public health schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 56 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $66,981. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general public health from Loyola University Chicago
Benedictine University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 190 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $64,930 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general public health program at Benedictine University
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for general public health this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 28 general public health degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans.
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Elmhurst College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 22 general public health degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. General Public Health graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,400.
See the full general public health program report for Elmhurst College
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general public health schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Depaul University earn around $56,814 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310.
Get the full general public health details for Depaul University
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #10 among the best general public health schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 19 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $54,701. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete this degree.
See the full general public health program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 15 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.