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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region

34 Colleges in the United States
2,402 General Public Health Degrees Awarded
$55,810 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Public Health programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general public health programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools to find the best for general public health students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Public Health in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general public health education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in General Public Health

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in general public health. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $53,408 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $14,684 in student loans. Read more about the general public health program at Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general public health, ranking #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 general public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $60,435 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. Get the full general public health details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 19 general public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,900 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,678. More information about a degree in general public health from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Students looking for a strong general public health program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 147 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,552 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full general public health details for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

Students looking for a strong general public health program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 227 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $74,653 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,987. See the full general public health program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #6 among the best general public health schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Addison. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 111 general public health degrees were awarded at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois generally make around $68,487. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Get the full general public health details for Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #7 among the best general public health schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 46 general public health degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $66,933 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. Get the full general public health details for Michigan State University

8
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general public health this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 134 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $45,262 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general public health from Purdue University Main Campus

9

Case Western Reserve University placed #9 among the best general public health schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. About 87% of students finish within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 36 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $55,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. More information about a degree in general public health from Case Western Reserve University

10

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #10 spot for general public health this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 12 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $49,911 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Read more about the general public health program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

11

Loyola University Chicago placed #11 among the best general public health schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 56 general public health degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $66,981 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. More information about a degree in general public health from Loyola University Chicago

12

Miami University Oxford earned the #12 position for general public health this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $37,533 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full general public health program report for Miami University Oxford

13

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general public health schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 54% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 108 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $51,863 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,220 in student loans. Read more about the general public health program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

14

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #14 for general public health this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 57 general public health degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $37,883. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general public health from Ohio University Main Campus

15

Medical College Of Wisconsin landed the #15 spot for general public health this year. Medical College Of Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milwaukee. Medical College Of Wisconsin awarded about 14 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Medical College Of Wisconsin earn around $118,387 in the first couple years of their career. See the full general public health program report for Medical College Of Wisconsin

16

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for general public health this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 20 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $47,019 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,500. Get the full general public health details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

17

Benedictine University landed the #17 spot for general public health this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 190 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Benedictine University earn around $64,930 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338. Read more about the general public health program at Benedictine University

18

Wayne State University placed #18 among the best general public health schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 250 general public health degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $48,125 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in general public health from Wayne State University

19

Grand Valley State University placed #19 among the best general public health schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $54,781 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general public health from Grand Valley State University

20
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #20 for general public health this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 27 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Get the full general public health details for Central Michigan University

21

Northern Illinois University landed the #21 spot for general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 28 general public health degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Health graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. More information about a degree in general public health from Northern Illinois University

22
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #22 among the best general public health schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 33 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public health program make about $57,173 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. See the full general public health program report for Oakland University

23

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #23 among the best general public health schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 general public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $58,230. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657. Read more about the general public health program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

24
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #24 spot for general public health this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general public health students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from Elmhurst College earn around $51,232 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete this degree. See the full general public health program report for Elmhurst College

25

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #25 for general public health this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 general public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public health degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $55,859 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the general public health program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

Rest of the Top 35 General Public Health Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general public health this year:

26
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
34
35
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 71 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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