Best institutions to study Public Health
A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health.
483 U.S. institutions graduated 24,565 Public Health students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2201, a specialization of Public Health (CIP 51.22), and leads most directly to the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9111).
About Public Health programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventive medicine, health policy and regulations, health care services and related administrative functions, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, public communications, and professional standards and ethics.
See also: 26.1309 - Epidemiology., 44.0503 - Health Policy Analysis.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Public Health program prepares individuals to effectively plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services. This program is designed for those looking to become public health professionals in various settings, including public agencies and the private sector. Students will gain the leadership skills necessary to address health challenges and improve community health outcomes.
Core coursework includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, preventive medicine, and public health principles. Students will also develop essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and management, which are vital for success in the public health field.
Credentials awarded
What Public Health graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree11,082 graduates / yr · 275 institutions45%
- Master's degree10,586 graduates / yr · 295 institutions43%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate885 graduates / yr · 81 institutions3.6%
- Associate's degree633 graduates / yr · 30 institutions2.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship572 graduates / yr · 59 institutions2.3%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year536 graduates / yr · 21 institutions2.2%
- Post-master's certificate105 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice93 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - other26 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks22 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Public Health completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9,438 |
| 2013 | 10,833 |
| 2014 | 12,218 |
| 2015 | 13,536 |
| 2016 | 15,335 |
| 2017 | 16,657 |
| 2018 | 18,291 |
| 2019 | 19,784 |
| 2020 | 20,494 |
| 2021 | 22,561 |
| 2022 | 24,399 |
| 2023 | 25,308 |
| 2024 | 24,810 |
| 2025 | 24,565 |
Top 50 institutions for Public Health, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the People Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 796 | 34% | — | — |
| 2 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 530 | 79% | — | $31,756 |
| 3 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 479 | 84% | — | $45,408 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster's | 431 | 91% | — | $75,591 |
| 5 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 403 | 43% | $34,565 | $45,910 |
| 6 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 364 | 55% | $6,760 | $30,128 |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 361 | 85% | — | $46,016 |
| 8 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 348 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 9 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 343 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 10 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral (prof.) | 334 | 64% | — | $32,187 |
| 11 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 333 | 70% | — | $34,909 |
| 12 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 332 | 86% | — | — |
| 13 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 329 | 77% | — | $33,575 |
| 14 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 314 | 94% | $11,888 | $36,540 |
| 15 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 309 | 93% | — | $48,351 |
| 16 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 297 | 57% | — | $39,011 |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 293 | 68% | — | $40,005 |
| 18 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 288 | 61% | — | — |
| 19 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 277 | 76% | — | $41,092 |
| 20 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 274 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 271 | 58% | — | $32,584 |
| 22 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 264 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 257 | 84% | — | $39,584 |
| 24 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 244 | 53% | — | $34,761 |
| 25 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 244 | 83% | — | $37,364 |
| 26 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 241 | 92% | $26,873 | $36,300 |
| 27 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 226 | — | — | $44,285 |
| 28 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 221 | 75% | — | $39,164 |
| 29 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 221 | 89% | — | $35,761 |
| 30 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 214 | 73% | — | $35,698 |
| 31 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 213 | 54% | — | $37,043 |
| 32 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 210 | 62% | — | $41,585 |
| 33 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 207 | 64% | — | $39,159 |
| 34 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 199 | 69% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeksDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 198 | 91% | — | $30,056 |
| 36 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 195 | 43% | — | — |
| 37 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 192 | 53% | — | $33,514 |
| 38 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 191 | 65% | $28,911 | $36,641 |
| 39 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 188 | 61% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 185 | 46% | — | $40,566 |
| 41 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 180 | 57% | $10,199 | $47,100 |
| 42 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 175 | 61% | — | $41,561 |
| 43 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 168 | 53% | — | $40,750 |
| 44 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 167 | 70% | — | $40,682 |
| 45 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 160 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 46 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 157 | 86% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 156 | 71% | — | $35,797 |
| 48 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 156 | 55% | — | $33,716 |
| 49 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 152 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 50 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 149 | 50% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Health field (CIP 51.22) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 54 states & territories
Where Public Health graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Health programs offered there.
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 as Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Education Specialists, and Community Health Workers. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $117,960, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Managersprimary SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Education Specialists SOC 21-1091 | $64,070 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Community Health Workers SOC 21-1094 | $51,850 | +11.3% Much faster than average | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Public Health programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Health specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Health (CIP 51.22).
- Public Health Education and PromotionCIP 51.22073,740 graduates / yr157 institutions
- Community Health and Preventive MedicineCIP 51.22083,507 graduates / yr121 institutions
- Public HealthCIP 51.22992,709 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Health Services AdministrationCIP 51.22112,260 graduates / yr121 institutions
- International Public Health/CIP 51.2210
International Health 1,359 graduates / yr64 institutions - Environmental HealthCIP 51.22021,306 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Behavioral Aspects of HealthCIP 51.2212751 graduates / yr55 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.2205
Medical Physics 332 graduates / yr37 institutions - Occupational Health and Industrial HygieneCIP 51.2206300 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Maternal and Child HealthCIP 51.2209225 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Patient Safety and Healthcare QualityCIP 51.2213partial data104 graduates / yr9 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Public Health?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What is the job outlook for Public Health graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 23.2%.
How many colleges offer Public Health programs in the U.S.?+
There are 483 colleges offering Public Health programs across the United States.
What is the CIP code for Public Health?+
Public Health is CIP 51.2201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Health (CIP 51.22). NCES defines it as: A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventive medicine, health policy and regulations, health care services and related administrative functions, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, public communications, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Public Health programs?+
483 U.S. institutions reported Public Health graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 54 states & territories, awarding 24,565 credentials in the year. That is 59.7% of all Public Health graduates.
How much do Public Health graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical and Health Services Managers occupation, which Public Health most directly leads to, pays a median of $123,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Health field report median earnings of $37,043 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card