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2024 Best Public Health Schools

553 Colleges in the United States
41,651 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$43,510 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #26 in popularity, public health is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 553 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public health students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 41,651 degrees in public health to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Health School

Best Public Health Schools The public health program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Public Health rankings. For our Best Overall Public Health School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Public Health Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Public Health
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Health
Master's Degrees in Public Health
Doctor's Degrees in Public Health

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Public Health Schools list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Public Health in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of public health degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Public Health

1
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
411 Public Health Degrees Awarded
9.5% Growth in Graduates

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public health. Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were roughly 411 public health students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Public Health degree recipients from Harvard University earn a boost of approximately $62,723 over the typical income of public health graduates.

More information about a degree in public health from Harvard University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
574 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$68,359 Median Starting Salary

Columbia University in the City of New York is a good option for students pursuing a degree in public health. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 574 public health students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the public health major at Columbia University in the City of New York earn $24,848 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in public health from Columbia University in the City of New York

3
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
376 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$52,686 Median Starting Salary

Emory University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in public health. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 376 public health students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Those public health students who get their degree from Emory University make $9,176 more than the average public health student.

More information about a degree in public health from Emory University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
187 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$49,931 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in public health has to look into The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Located in the city of Houston, UTHealth is a public university with a medium-sized student population.

There were about 187 public health students who graduated with this degree at UTHealth in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the public health major at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston get $6,421 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in public health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,324 Public Health Degrees Awarded
24.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1324 public health students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University get an earnings boost of approximately $16,212 above the average earnings of public health majors.

More information about a degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
67 Public Health Degrees Awarded
13.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 67 public health students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from Vanderbilt University receive an earnings boost of approximately $80,666 over the average income of public health graduates.

More information about a degree in public health from Vanderbilt University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$81,449 Median Starting Salary

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 5th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 200 public health students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Public Health degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of about $37,938 over the average earnings of public health majors.

More information about a degree in public health from University of California - Los Angeles

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
126 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$48,193 Median Starting Salary

WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 126 public health students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public health degree program at Washington University in St Louis get $4,683 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in public health from Washington University in St Louis

9
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
94 Public Health Degrees Awarded
9.6% Growth in Graduates

Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Haven. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were roughly 94 public health students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year. Those public health students who get their degree from Yale University make $31,883 more than the typical public health student.

More information about a degree in public health from Yale University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
28th Most Popular In CA
32 Public Health Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were about 32 public health students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in public health from Stanford University

11
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Public Health Degrees Awarded
15.3% Growth in Graduates

Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were roughly 170 public health students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from Brown University earn a boost of around $7,467 over the typical income of public health majors.

More information about a degree in public health from Brown University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
469 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$58,111 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 469 public health students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Those public health students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley make $14,600 more than the average public health student.

More information about a degree in public health from University of California - Berkeley

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
353 Public Health Degrees Awarded
12.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 353 public health students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients usually earn about $41,172 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Southern California

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
494 Public Health Degrees Awarded
11.7% Growth in Graduates

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 494 public health students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Those public health students who get their degree from University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn $4,947 more than the typical public health graduate.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IL
106 Public Health Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 106 public health students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in public health from Northwestern University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
573 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$72,423 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 573 public health students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Those public health students who get their degree from George Washington University make $28,913 more than the standard public health graduate.

More information about a degree in public health from George Washington University

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Public Health Degrees Awarded
24.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 326 public health students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from Boston University earn a boost of approximately $13,108 over the typical income of public health graduates.

More information about a degree in public health from Boston University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
355 Public Health Degrees Awarded
6.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 355 public health students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Those public health students who get their degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill make $8,370 more than the typical public health grad.

More information about a degree in public health from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
195 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$59,252 Median Starting Salary

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 195 public health students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities get an earnings boost of around $15,742 over the typical income of public health majors.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
285 Public Health Degrees Awarded
21.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 285 public health students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get an earnings boost of about $9,289 over the typical earnings of public health majors.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
601 Public Health Degrees Awarded
14.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were roughly 601 public health students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Public Health degree recipients from University of Maryland - College Park earn a boost of approximately $7,095 above the average earnings of public health graduates.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Maryland - College Park

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
668 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$49,824 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were roughly 668 public health students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Those public health students who get their degree from Rutgers University - New Brunswick make $6,314 more than the average public health graduate.

More information about a degree in public health from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
360 Public Health Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 360 public health students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the public health degree program at Texas A&M University - College Station get $11,466 more than the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in public health from Texas A&M University - College Station

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Public Health Degrees Awarded
20.3% Growth in Graduates

UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 69 public health students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the public health program at University of Pennsylvania make $12,718 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in public health from University of Pennsylvania

25
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
143 Public Health Degrees Awarded
7.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 143 public health students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent year we have data available. Those public health students who get their degree from Tufts University make $9,946 more than the average public health graduate.

More information about a degree in public health from Tufts University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Health Schools

26
27
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
28
29
30
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
31
32

33

34
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

42

43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
50

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Public Health Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 553 different United States public health schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
51Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC
52San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
53Touro University CaliforniaVallejo, CA
54University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
55The Graduate Center, CUNYNew York, NY
56University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL
57University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
58Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
59Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
60University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
61Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
62University of Maryland - BaltimoreBaltimore, MD
63Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
64Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA
65University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
66University of North Texas Health Science CenterFort Worth, TX
67Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
68University of RochesterRochester, NY
69University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
70East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
71Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
72Indiana University - Purdue University - IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN
73University of Puerto Rico - Medical SciencesSan Juan, PR
74SUNY Downstate Health Sciences UniversityBrooklyn, NY
75University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle Rock, AR
76Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE
77Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortland, OR
78Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
79Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolk, VA
80Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
81A T Still University of Health SciencesKirksville, MO
82University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Public Health Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
83California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
84San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
85George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
86The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
87University of KentuckyLexington, KY
88New York Medical CollegeValhalla, NY
89Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
90University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY
91California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
92University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
93Simmons UniversityBoston, MA
94Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
95The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ
96University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
97University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
98Benedictine UniversityLisle, IL
99University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
100University of California - DavisDavis, CA
101Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesBoston, MA
102Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
103Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
104Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
105American UniversityWashington, DC
106University of Massachusetts - LowellLowell, MA
107University of DelawareNewark, DE
108University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
109Keiser University - Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL
110University of California - San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

Public Health by Region

View the Best Public Health Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Public Health has other similar majors worth exploring.

Public Health Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
General Public Health24,667
Public Health Education and Promotion4,139
Other Public Health3,136
Health Services Administration3,074
Community Health and Preventive Medicine2,232
International Public Health/International Health1,561
Environmental Health1,332
Behavioral Aspects of Health763
Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene258
Health/Medical Physics238

View All Public Health Concentrations >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Nursing319,502
Health & Medical Administrative Services88,600
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants85,339
Allied Health Professions83,905
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services83,587
Health Sciences & Services36,762
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions30,594
Mental & Social Health Services30,331
Medicine29,089
Dental Support Services26,024

View All Public Health Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
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