College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

117 Ranked Colleges
9,543 Degrees Awarded
$6,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 40,596 people earned their degree in public health, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public health graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,158 and had an average of $27,396 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 9,543 public health graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,554 and $29,578 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 117 colleges that offered a degree in public health. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public health programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public health program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Health Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Health Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public health degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $-927 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duke University. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Public Health at Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 58 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $4,652 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Vanderbilt Public Health Report

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 399 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $2,857 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Florida

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 332 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $5,729 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

5
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Out of the 117 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #5 spot on the list. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 436 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $8,976 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Emory University Public Health Report

6

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 467 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,632 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa Public Health Report

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,612 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Public Health at Wake Forest University

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 224 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $10,688 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Health at UGA

9
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 106 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Health at Florida State University

10

The University of West Florida landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of West Florida is $3,827 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Health at The University of West Florida

11
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SPC is a public institution located in Clearwater, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SPC is $2,769 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St Petersburg College Public Health Report

12

Florida International University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 89 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida International University Public Health Report

13

With a ranking of #13, South University, Savannah did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South University, Savannah is a small school located in Savannah, Georgia that handed out 11 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Public Health at South University, Savannah

14

Eastern Florida State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Eastern Florida State College is a fairly large school located in Cocoa, Florida that handed out 61 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend EFSC is $5,001 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Eastern Florida State College Public Health Report

15
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 344 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $13,029 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ECU Public Health Report

16
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 14 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,074 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Florida.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNF Public Health Report

17
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 50 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $10,063 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Virginia - Main Campus

18
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #18, American Public University System did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 246 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,885 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend American Military University.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Health at American Public University System

19
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Appalachian State is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $9,940 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Appalachian State University

20
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augusta, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Augusta University is $10,221 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Augusta University Public Health Report

21
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school handed out 115 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, UK has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $13,424 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kentucky Public Health Report

22
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and it awarded 12 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $6,254 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Health at Marshall University

23

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for FGCU is $7,969 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Florida Gulf Coast University

24

Roane State Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Roane State Community College is located in Harriman, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,935 for southeast region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Roane State Community College.

Full Roane State Community College Public Health Report

25
ICC crest
Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi

Itawamba Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fulton, Mississippi, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $3,937 for Southeast Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Health at Itawamba Community College

Switch to a Similar Major

Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Colleges for Health Sciences & Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Communication Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Health & Medical Administrative Services
Best Value Colleges for Health & Medical Administrative Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Allied Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Health/Medical Prep Programs
Best Value Colleges for Health/Medical Prep Programs (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Medical Science
Best Value Colleges for Medical Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Optometry
Best Value Colleges for Optometry (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies
Best Value Colleges for Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
Best Value Colleges for Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Alternative Medicine & Systems
Best Value Colleges for Alternative Medicine & Systems (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Movement & Mind-Body Therapies
Best Value Colleges for Movement & Mind-Body Therapies (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Chiropractic
Best Value Colleges for Chiropractic (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Dentistry
Best Value Colleges for Dentistry (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Dental Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Dental Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Best Value Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Medicine
Best Value Colleges for Medicine (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Mental & Social Health Services
Best Value Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services
Best Value Colleges for Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
Best Value Colleges for Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Medical Illustration & Informatics
Best Value Colleges for Medical Illustration & Informatics (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Bioethics/Medical Ethics
Best Value Colleges for Bioethics/Medical Ethics (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services
Best Value Colleges for Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Nursing
Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Other Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Other Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

Switch to a More Focused Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options