2026 Best Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Health doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 894 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Stanford University Public Health students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read the full report on Stanford University
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Vanderbilt University Public Health students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Los Angeles landed the #3 spot. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Public Health program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Brown University landed the #4 spot. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. The median Public Health program debt is $11,760. More on Brown University
Harvard University came in at #5 on this year's Public Health ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Public Health program debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Public Health students take on a median of $11,729 in debt. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,748, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,988. Read more about The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Yale University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Yale University Public Health students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. More on Yale University
Loma Linda University placed #9 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. Typical Public Health student debt is $25,094. See the full Loma Linda University profile
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Oklahoma City, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $7,925, with out-of-state students paying around $25,714. Students borrow a median of $22,613 to complete their Public Health program here. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Medical College Of Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #12 position. Medical College Of Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Read the full report on Medical College Of Wisconsin
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Radford University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Radford, VA, Radford University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,323 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full Radford University report
University Of Southern California came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,962. Graduates carry a median of $20,905 in student loans. Read more about University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Public Health program debt is $18,856. More on Texas A And M University College Station
New York University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Public Health students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. More on New York University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,424 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $19,689. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical Public Health student debt is $16,203. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Samford University placed #23 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Read more about Samford University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $16,490. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. The median Public Health program debt is $23,813. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Johns Hopkins University placed #26 among Public Health schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Health student debt is $15,500. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Capella University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. The median Public Health program debt is $35,998. More on Capella University
Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Public Health program debt is $25,000. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Thomas Jefferson University placed #29 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. The median Public Health program debt is $32,256. Read more about Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,181. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
Widener University Main Campus landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chester, PA. Widener University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. The median Public Health program debt is $26,561. Read the full report on Widener University Main Campus
Suny Downstate Medical Center placed #32 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,822, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,882 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full Suny Downstate Medical Center profile
Emory University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. The median Public Health program debt is $19,431. Read the full report on Emory University
Washington University In St Louis placed #34 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. The median Public Health program debt is $17,553. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Boston University placed #36 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #37 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Public Health student debt is $20,678. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Claremont Graduate University did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. More on Claremont Graduate University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Public Health program debt is $21,500. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $22,469 in student loans. Read more about University Of Iowa
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Typical Public Health student debt is $26,122. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $23,822 in student loans. More on George Washington University
Temple University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical Public Health student debt is $27,000. Get the full Temple University report
Georgetown University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Georgetown University Public Health students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read more about Georgetown University
University Of Georgia landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Public Health students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $20,167. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Wayne State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. This public school is set in Detroit, MI. About 58% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about Wayne State University
University Of California Davis landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of New Mexico Main Campus did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Oregon Health And Science University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Portland, OR. Students from in state pay about $24,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,338. Students borrow a median of $32,059 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full Oregon Health And Science University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #51 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical Public Health student debt is $23,258. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Related Public Health Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Public Health Schools (All Levels)
- Best Public Health Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 894 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).