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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region

52 Colleges in the United States
4,404 Public Health Degrees Awarded
$54,286 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Health degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public health programs.

College Factual analyzed 124 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public health schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Health in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top Schools in Public Health

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for public health. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full public health program report for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 66 public health degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent 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. See the full public health program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public health, ranking #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 360 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $60,435 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. See the full public health program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Students looking for a strong public health program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 256 public health degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their public health degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $49,460 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,689. More information about a degree in public health from Indiana University Bloomington

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 178 public health degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,900. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete this degree. See the full public health program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best public health schools. 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 183 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $48,552 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public health from Ohio State University Main Campus

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best public health schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 224 public health degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the public health program make about $56,058 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete this degree. Get the full public health details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #8 among the best public health schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 258 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,653. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete this degree. See the full public health program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earned the #9 position for public health this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Addison. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 115 public health students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $68,487 in their early career. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Read more about the public health program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

10

Illinois State University earned the #10 position for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 16 public health students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $59,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. More information about a degree in public health from Illinois State University

11
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #11 for public health this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 69 public health students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $66,933. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. See the full public health program report for Michigan State University

12
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 159 public health degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,262 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full public health program report for Purdue University Main Campus

13

Case Western Reserve University came in at #13 for public health this year. 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 public health degrees in the most recent data year. 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. See the full public health program report for Case Western Reserve University

14

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 20 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574. Get the full public health details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

15

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #15 spot for public health this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full public health program report for University Of Michigan Dearborn

16
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University came in at #16 for public health this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Greencastle. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 public health degrees were awarded at Depauw University in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public health from Depauw University

17

Loyola University Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 58 public health degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $66,981. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public health from Loyola University Chicago

18

Miami University Oxford ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 45 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $37,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public health details for Miami University Oxford

19

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #19 position for public health this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Concordia University Wisconsin awarded about 23 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Concordia University Wisconsin earn around $76,535 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,172 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public health from Concordia University Wisconsin

20

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 217 public health degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the public health program make about $51,863 in their early career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,220 in student loans. Get the full public health details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

21

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 public health students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $37,883. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full public health details for Ohio University Main Campus

22

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #22 for public health this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 48 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $41,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full public health details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

23

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for public health this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 14 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $71,315 in their early career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. More information about a degree in public health from Illinois Institute Of Technology

24

Medical College Of Wisconsin earned the #24 position for public health this year. Medical College Of Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milwaukee. About 26 public health degrees were awarded at Medical College Of Wisconsin in the most recent year. Students who receive their public health degree from Medical College Of Wisconsin earn around $118,387 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the public health program at Medical College Of Wisconsin

25

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 public health students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $47,019 in their early career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Read more about the public health program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Public Health Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public health education:

26
27
28
29
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
30
31
32
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
33
34
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
35
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
36
37
38
39
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
South Suburban College crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, IL
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 124 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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