Best colleges for Public Health in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
East Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Tennessee State University award the most Public Health degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 99, 92 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Tennessee colleges offer Public Health and award 377 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,435 | 99 | 53% | — | $22,299 |
| 2 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,321 | 15 | 54% | — | $27,758 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Health degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 99 | $38,435 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 92 | Not reported |
| 3 | Tennessee State University Nashville Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 8 | Roane State Community College Harriman Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 9 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 10 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 15 | $30,321 |
ShowHide the other 5 Tennessee colleges offering Public Health
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meharry Medical College (Graduate only) | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| South College | Knoxville | Private for-profit | 12 |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Public | 3 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski | Public | 2 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111).
Top skills
What Medical and Health Services Managers earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Health programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Public Health degrees?+
East Tennessee State University (99 graduates a year), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (92 graduates a year) and Tennessee State University (25 graduates a year) award the most Public Health degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Tennessee colleges offer Public Health.
Which Public Health program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, East Tennessee State University tops the list at $38,435. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Medical and Health Services Managers earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Medical and Health Services Managers in Tennessee is $128,340 (median $107,120), across about 14,160 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Public Health program?+
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…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, critical thinking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +23.2% growth with around 62,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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