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2023 Most Popular Public Health Schools

773 Colleges
$43,158 Avg Salary
$27,396 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Public Health School for You

In 2020-2021, 40,596 people earned a degree or certificate in public health, making the major the #25 most popular in the United States.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 773 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Public Health program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for public health majors pursuing a .

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Our 2023 rankings named Johns Hopkins University the most popular school in the United States for public health students. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public health majors at Johns Hopkins accumulate an average of around $16,088 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $585.

Read full report on Public Health at Johns Hopkins University

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a great place for public health students. Located in the small city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, public health graduates from Rutgers New Brunswick carry an average student debt load of $27,313. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $333.

Full Public Health at Rutgers University - New Brunswick Report

The excellent programs at George Washington University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best public health schools in the United States. Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, public health graduates from GWU carry an average student debt load of $23,822.

Read full report on Public Health at George Washington University

The excellent programs at Columbia University in the City of New York helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best public health schools in the United States. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Read More…

The excellent programs at University of South Carolina - Columbia helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best public health schools in the United States. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Public Health majors at UofSC take out an average of $24,393 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $304, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of California - Irvine did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public health students. It came in at #6 on the list. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine.

On average, public health graduates from UC Irvine take out $16,319 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $181, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of Maryland - College Park came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that public health majors at UMCP take out is $22,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $323, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Public Health at University of Maryland - College Park Report

Benedictine University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Lisle, Benedictine U is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Public Health at Benedictine University

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public health majors at CSUN accumulate an average of around $16,198 in student debt.

Full Public Health at California State University - Northridge Report

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public health students. It came in at #10 on the list. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.

While working on their degree, public health majors at UC Berkeley accumulate an average of around $11,875 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $304, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. USF Tampa is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa.

After completing their degree, public health graduates from USF Tampa carry an average student debt load of $23,555. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $205.

Full Public Health at University of South Florida - Main Campus Report

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. UW - Madison is a very large public school located in the large city of Madison.

Full Public Health at University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

#13

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public health programs. Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, public health majors at University of Arizona accumulate an average of around $22,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $366.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Arizona

#14

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public health students. It came in at #14 on the list. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.

Full Public Health at Emory University Report

With a ranking of #14, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public health students. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Public Health majors at UW Seattle take out an average of $16,304 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $383.

Full Public Health at University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

#16

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Public Health Schools list. Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

On average, public health graduates from Liberty University take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $526, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Public Health at Liberty University

University of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. UMass Amherst is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Amherst.

The average amount in student loans that public health majors at UMass Amherst take out is $26,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $165.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#18

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. UF is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville.

The average amount in student loans that public health majors at UF take out is $18,087. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $248, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for public health students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public health majors at SNHU accumulate an average of around $33,439 in student debt.

Full Public Health at Southern New Hampshire University Report

#20

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Public Health Schools ranking. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge.

Read full report on Public Health at Harvard University

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular public health programs. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.

The average amount in student loans that public health majors at UT Austin take out is $19,510. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $274, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #22, University of California - San Diego did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for public health students. Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Public Health majors at UCSD take out an average of $15,451 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $205.

Read More…

#23

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Public Health Schools list. Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, public health majors at ECU accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $271.

Read full report on Public Health at East Carolina University

University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Public Health Schools list. Located in the city of Birmingham, UAB is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Public Health majors at UAB take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $230, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#28

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI
#33

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, NY
#34

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#35

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ
#38

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
#40

Monroe College

Bronx, NY
#41

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA
#42

Boston University

Boston, MA
#44

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN
#46

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL
#47

National University

La Jolla, CA
#48

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#49

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Public Health Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 773 different United States public health schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
49 University of Georgia Athens, GA
52 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
52 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
54 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
55 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
56 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
57 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
58 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
59 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
60 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
61 University at Albany Albany, NY
62 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX
63 Portland State University Portland, OR
64 University of Delaware Newark, DE
65 University of California - Merced Merced, CA
66 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
67 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
68 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
69 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
69 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
71 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
72 Purdue University Global Indianapolis, IN
72 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
74 Brown University Providence, RI
75 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
76 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA
77 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
78 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
78 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
80 New York University New York, NY
81 College of Charleston Charleston, SC
81 Tufts University Medford, MA
81 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
84 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
85 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
85 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
87 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
88 University of New England Biddeford, ME
89 American InterContinental University - Online Schaumburg, IL
90 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
91 Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA
92 Florida National University - Main Campus Hialeah, FL
92 Chamberlain University - Illinois Addison, IL
92 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
95 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
95 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
95 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
98 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
99 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
99 University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PR
101 Mercer University Macon, GA
101 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
103 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
104 Lehman College Bronx, NY
104 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
104 Baylor University Waco, TX
107 Chapman University Orange, CA
108 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
109 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
110 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
111 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
112 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA
113 West Coast University - Orange County Anaheim, CA
114 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
115 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
115 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Public Health students that almost earned our Most Popular Public Health Schools award.

Rank College Location
117 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
118 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
118 Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NY
120 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
120 American University Washington, DC
122 Florida International University Miami, FL
123 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
124 Duke University Durham, NC
124 SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn, NY
126 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
126 Utah Valley University Orem, UT
126 Weber State University Ogden, UT
126 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
126 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
131 Yale University New Haven, CT
132 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
132 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
132 University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TX
135 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
136 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
137 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
138 Universidad del Turabo Gurabo, PR
139 Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT
139 St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN
139 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
142 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
142 Everglades University Boca Raton, FL
142 City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
145 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
145 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
147 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
148 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
149 South University’s online programs Savannah, GA
149 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
151 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
152 University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MI
152 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
152 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
152 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK

Public Health by Region

View the Most Popular Public Health Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Public Health is one of 30 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Article 25 Flickr.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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