by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their public health graduates.
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Below are the schools whose public health graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #1 spot for highest-paid public health graduates in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public health program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,515.
St Catherine University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. After graduating, public health degree recipients from St Catherine University typically earn about $59,427 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Walden University one of the highest-paying schools for public health. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Public Health graduates of Walden University earn a median of about $55,488 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Winona State University one of the highest-paying schools for public health. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. After graduating, public health degree recipients from Winona State University typically earn about $48,643 annually.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public health schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public health degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus typically earn about $60,833 annually.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public health schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Early-career public health graduates from University Of Nebraska At Omaha make a median of around $49,091 per year.
Saint Cloud State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for public health. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Public Health graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $48,320 a year early in their careers.
Emporia State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public health schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a public institution. Early-career public health graduates from Emporia State University make a median of around $47,913 per year.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for public health salaries this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, public health degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia typically earn about $36,867 annually.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #10 position for public health graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Early-career public health graduates from University Of Minnesota Duluth make a median of around $36,520 per year.
University Of Iowa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public health schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Early-career public health graduates from University Of Iowa make a median of around $35,852 per year.
Rasmussen College Minnesota came in at #12 for public health graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the public health program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,433.
Truman State University earned the #13 position for public health graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a public institution. After graduating, public health degree recipients from Truman State University typically earn about $30,911 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their public health graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.