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 200 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public health students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Public Health in the Southeast Region
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.
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center, our #1 school for public health. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Memphis. The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center awarded about 11 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $86,386 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,679 to complete this degree.
Get the full public health details for The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center
Students looking for a strong public health program will find one at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 public health students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $83,560 in their early 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
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 35 public health students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full public health details for Vanderbilt University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for public health. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 59 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $69,067 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
Read more about the public health program at University Of Miami
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for public health. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 155 public health students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $66,357 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
Read more about the public health program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for public health this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 506 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $75,293 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,203.
More information about a degree in public health from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Emory University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 142 public health students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Emory University earn a median of $63,822 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431.
More information about a degree in public health from Emory University
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 52 public health degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $63,861. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
See the full public health program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
George Mason University came in at #9 for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 232 public health students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from George Mason University earn around $52,149 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from George Mason University
Duke University earned the #10 position for public health this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 21 public health degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Public Health graduates of Duke University earn a median of $53,804 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans.
Read more about the public health program at Duke University
University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for public health this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 221 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from University Of Georgia earn around $43,268 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full public health details for University Of Georgia
University Of Florida earned the #12 position for public health this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 412 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,481. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans.
Get the full public health details for University Of Florida
Furman University landed the #13 spot for public health this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Furman University graduates 79% of students within six years. Furman University awarded about 10 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Furman University earn around $36,520 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public health program at Furman University
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #14 spot for public health this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 50 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $55,042 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077.
See the full public health program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana
The University Of Tennessee ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 57 public health students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $49,826 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans.
Read more about the public health program at The University Of Tennessee
Radford University came in at #16 for public health this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 public health students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. Typical student debt for the program is $21,323.
See the full public health program report for Radford University
Florida State University came in at #17 for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 286 public health students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Florida State University earn around $43,953 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488.
More information about a degree in public health from Florida State University
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #18 for public health this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 461 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $64,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Get the full public health details for University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 among the best public health schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 457 public health degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public health degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $65,148 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,345 to complete this degree.
Get the full public health details for University Of South Florida Main Campus
Wake Forest University earned the #20 position for public health this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public health students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
More information about a degree in public health from Wake Forest University
Elon University landed the #21 spot for public health this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 34 public health students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public health program make about $42,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public health program at Elon University
Roanoke College landed the #22 spot for public health this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salem. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Roanoke College awarded about 13 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $33,725. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public health from Roanoke College
Samford University landed the #23 spot for public health this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. Samford University awarded about 36 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Samford University earn around $57,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree.
Get the full public health details for Samford University
Appalachian State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best public health schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 54 public health degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public health degree from Appalachian State University earn around $34,148 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361.
Get the full public health details for Appalachian State University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #25 position for public health this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 470 public health students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Public Health graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $44,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full public health details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Rest of the Top 50 Public Health Schools
These schools also placed among the best for public health this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 200 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).
