Best colleges for Public Health
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Public Health by graduate earnings are Utah State University ($76,451), Brown University ($75,909) and Montana Technological University ($74,771), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Utah State University (Logan, UT): $76,451, 56 graduates a year
- Brown University (Providence, RI): $75,909, 41 graduates a year
- Montana Technological University (Butte, MT): $74,771, 49 graduates a year
- Oakland University (Rochester Hills, MI): $59,330, 52 graduates a year
- Illinois State University (Normal, IL): $59,207, 31 graduates a year
Compare 784 U.S. colleges offering Public Health by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 55 states.
Public Health programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,068 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.22 and the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Public Health programs
The Public Health program focuses on promoting health and preventing disease within communities. It prepares students to address health-related issues through various specializations, including Environmental Health, Maternal and Child Health, and International Public Health. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about improving health outcomes and enhancing quality of life for diverse populations.
Students in the Public Health program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and active listening. Coursework covers topics like administration and management in healthcare settings, health education, and community health strategies, equipping graduates with the knowledge to implement effective public health initiatives.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,451 | 56 | 59% | — | — |
| 2 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,909 | 41 | 96% | $14,644 | $11,760 |
| 3 | Montana Technological University Butte, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,771 | 49 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,330 | 52 | 58% | — | $30,750 |
| 5 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,207 | 31 | 65% | — | $22,250 |
| 6 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,372 | 139 | 94% | $23,570 | $18,250 |
| 7 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,057 | 124 | 43% | $31,817 | $37,469 |
| 8 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,565 | 63 | 38% | — | $29,125 |
| 9 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,415 | 47 | 95% | $22,242 | $12,000 |
| 10 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,560 | 48 | 37% | — | $21,625 |
| 11 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,351 | 328 | 93% | — | $11,729 |
| 12 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,274 | 60 | 88% | $44,094 | $24,500 |
| 13 | Winona State University Winona, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,250 | 25 | 57% | — | $20,966 |
| 14 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,117 | 73 | 60% | — | $22,758 |
| 15 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,016 | 477 | 85% | — | $16,490 |
| 16 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,016 | 20 | 63% | — | $16,490 |
| 17 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,921 | 21 | 97% | $16,260 | $12,500 |
| 18 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,408 | 662 | 84% | — | $26,000 |
| 19 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,339 | 95 | 63% | — | $20,750 |
| 20 | Simmons University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,331 | 32 | 72% | $24,848 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,274 | 147 | 83% | — | $21,500 |
| 22 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,809 | 551 | 84% | $29,789 | $23,822 |
| 23 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,621 | 36 | 43% | — | $23,328 |
| 24 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,516 | 67 | 95% | $17,613 | $12,133 |
| 25 | Monroe University Bronx, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,383 | 213 | 57% | $12,028 | $30,904 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Graduate degree | $75,591 | 491 | 91% | — | $16,203 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Graduate degree | $55,809 | 234 | 85% | — | $21,500 |
| 3 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NY Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree Graduate only | $63,059 | 25 | — | — | $20,000 |
Specializations within Public Health
12 of the 13 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.22 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Public HealthCIP 51.220124,565 graduates / yr483 institutions54 states
- Public Health Education and PromotionCIP 51.22073,740 graduates / yr157 institutions45 states
- Community Health and Preventive MedicineCIP 51.22083,507 graduates / yr121 institutions39 states
- Public HealthCIP 51.22992,709 graduates / yr67 institutions29 states
- Health Services AdministrationCIP 51.22112,260 graduates / yr121 institutions41 states
- International Public Health/CIP 51.2210
International Health 1,359 graduates / yr64 institutions28 states - Environmental HealthCIP 51.22021,306 graduates / yr88 institutions38 states
- Behavioral Aspects of HealthCIP 51.2212751 graduates / yr55 institutions31 states
- Health/CIP 51.2205
Medical Physics 332 graduates / yr37 institutions24 states - Occupational Health and Industrial HygieneCIP 51.2206300 graduates / yr27 institutions20 states
- Maternal and Child HealthCIP 51.2209225 graduates / yr22 institutions16 states
- Patient Safety and Healthcare QualityCIP 51.2213New in CIP 2020partial data104 graduates / yr9 institutions7 states
Show all 13 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Public Health Genetics51.2214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 55 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Public Health program can pursue careers in various sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $117,960, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Public Health
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.22.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.22 (Public Health) maps to 13 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managersprimary |
| 13-1041 | Compliance Officers |
| 19-1041 | Epidemiologists |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-2012 | Physicists |
| 19-2041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health |
| 19-5011 | Occupational Health and Safety Specialists |
| 19-5012 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians |
| 21-1091 | Health Education Specialists |
| 21-1094 | Community Health Workers |
| 25-1054 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-9092 | Genetic Counselors |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Public Health programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
- Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
- Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Common questions
What is Public Health?+
Public Health is the study and practice of promoting health and preventing disease in communities.
What specializations are available?+
Specializations include Environmental Health, Maternal and Child Health, and Public Health Education.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and management in healthcare settings.
What is the job outlook for Public Health graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 23.2% and a median wage of $117,960.
How much do Public Health graduates earn?+
Public Health graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,068, College Scorecard (2019); the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation pays about $140,970 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Public Health?+
Public Health maps to CIP 51.22 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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