Virginia · Public Health

Best colleges for Public Health in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

George Mason University, Liberty University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University award the most Public Health degrees in Virginia: 236, 235 and 157 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Virginia colleges offer Public Health and award 851 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…

Institutions
17
offering CIP 51.22
States & territories
55
with a program page
Degrees / yr
851
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$34,789
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,945
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Medical and Health Services Managers
$142,340
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1George Mason University
Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,02523668%—$22,000
2Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,64123565%$28,911$27,000
3South University - Richmond
Glen Allen Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,789342%$26,545$56,262

Top certificate or associate program

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit · Associate degree
$33,8282024%$12,786$30,312

Colleges awarding the most Public Health degrees in Virginia

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1George Mason University
Fairfax Public
236$37,025
2Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
235$36,641
3Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public
157Not reported
4University of Virginia
Charlottesville Public
49Not reported
5Old Dominion University
Norfolk Public
40Not reported
6University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
28Not reported
7Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public
23Not reported
8Shenandoah University
Winchester Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
9Radford University
Radford Public
12Not reported
10Hollins University
Roanoke Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
Show the other 7 Virginia colleges offering Public Health
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia BeachVirginia BeachPrivate not-for-profit20
Virginia Union UniversityRichmondPrivate not-for-profit7
Roanoke CollegeSalemPrivate not-for-profit6
University of Management and Technology (Online)ArlingtonPrivate for-profit5
Marymount UniversityArlingtonPrivate not-for-profit4
South University - RichmondGlen AllenPrivate for-profit3
South University - Virginia BeachVirginia BeachPrivate for-profit2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+23.2%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~62,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$117,960
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

SpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoring

What Medical and Health Services Managers earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
10,210
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$142,340
median $129,270
Best-paying metro
$145,100
Charlottesville, VA

Related careers

Compliance Officers
$87,230 avg · 15,190 jobs
Medical and Health Services Managers
$142,340 avg · 10,210 jobs
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
$95,070 avg · 3,910 jobs
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$90,500 avg · 2,850 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Public Health programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Public Health degrees?+

George Mason University (236 graduates a year), Liberty University (235 graduates a year) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (157 graduates a year) award the most Public Health degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Virginia colleges offer Public Health.

Which Public Health program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Mason University tops the list at $37,025. 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 Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Medical and Health Services Managers in Virginia is $142,340 (median $129,270), across about 10,210 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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