Public Health is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public health programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 894 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public health students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Public Health School
The school you choose for public health can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Public Health rankings. For our Best Overall Public Health School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Public Health Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Public Health in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best public health schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 422 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $106,623 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full public health program report for Harvard University
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 218 public health degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the public health program make about $95,337 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
Get the full public health details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Get the full public health details for University Of Chicago
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 500 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $63,661 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans.
Read more about the public health program at University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public health, ranking #5. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 public health students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $44,516 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,133.
See the full public health program report for Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 616 public health students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $73,074 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
Read more about the public health program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Tufts University landed the #7 spot for public health this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 public health students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $62,023 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public health program at Tufts University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot for public health this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 52 public health degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their public health degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public health from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center came in at #9 for public health this year. Set in the city of Memphis, The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center is a mid-sized public institution. About 11 public health degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center generally make around $86,386. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center graduates carry a median of $25,679 in student loans.
Get the full public health details for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stanford University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 34 public health degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from Stanford University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 502 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $58,071. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public health program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Dartmouth College placed #12 among the best public health schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 79 public health students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
Get the full public health details for Dartmouth College
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #13 position for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 23 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full public health program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for public health this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 203 public health degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $70,387 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public health program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Brown University came in at #15 for public health this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 43 public health degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public health degree from Brown University earn around $73,157 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,760.
Get the full public health details for Brown University
Lehigh University landed the #16 spot for public health this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 public health degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from Lehigh University
University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best public health schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Connecticut awarded about 137 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $67,320 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree.
See the full public health program report for University Of Connecticut
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for public health this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 59 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,496. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public health from University Of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University placed #19 among the best public health schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 681 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $66,959. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University
Yale University placed #20 among the best public health schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 public health students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $72,627 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Get the full public health details for Yale University
Northwestern University earned the #21 position for public health this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 public health students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $53,408. Students borrow a median of $14,684 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from Northwestern University
University Of California San Diego placed #22 among the best public health schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 384 public health degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,280 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from University Of California San Diego
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for public health this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 public health degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full public health program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 360 public health degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $60,435. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public health from University Of Wisconsin Madison
San Diego State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 288 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $55,784. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete this degree.
See the full public health program report for San Diego State University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Health Schools
These schools also placed among the best for public health this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 894 schools evaluated.
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 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).