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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Health Professions Schools in the Southeast Region

519 Colleges in the United States
175,042 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$67,916 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

College Factual analyzed 1020 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best health professions schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Health Professions in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health professions education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Health Professions

1

Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in health professions. 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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 23 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $83,560 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Read more about the health professions program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 1,063 health professions degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $112,738. Duke University graduates carry a median of $25,061 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at Duke University

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,041 health professions students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from James Madison University earn around $72,035 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,256. See the full health professions program report for James Madison University

4
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Students looking for a strong health professions program will find one at Rhodes College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 health professions degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at Rhodes College

5
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Students looking for a strong health professions program will find one at Emory University, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,147 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Emory University earn around $98,473 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at Emory University

6
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 38 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Furman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Typical student debt for the program is $21,913. More information about a degree in health professions from Furman University

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 1,687 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $86,716. Students borrow a median of $20,858 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

8
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #8 for health professions this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 703 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $125,095 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full health professions details for Vanderbilt University

9
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond placed #9 among the best health professions schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 34 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at University Of Richmond

10

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. 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. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 215 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $66,347 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

11

University Of Georgia came in at #11 for health professions this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 620 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $70,008. Students borrow a median of $22,102 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from University Of Georgia

12

George Mason University landed the #12 spot for health professions this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 822 health professions students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $87,923 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,957 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at George Mason University

13

Southern College Of Optometry placed #13 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Southern College Of Optometry is a small private not-for-profit university. Southern College Of Optometry awarded about 135 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Southern College Of Optometry earn around $106,728 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the health professions program at Southern College Of Optometry

14
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #14 spot for health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. About 993 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $112,250 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,696 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for University Of Miami

15
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #15 for health professions this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 2,291 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $80,844 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,241 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for University Of Florida

16
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #16 for health professions this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 491 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $85,315 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,978. More information about a degree in health professions from Clemson University

17

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #17 spot for health professions this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 519 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $56,833. Typical student debt for the program is $24,719. More information about a degree in health professions from Tulane University Of Louisiana

18
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #18 spot for health professions this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 1,480 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $81,908 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,230 to complete this degree. See the full health professions program report for Florida State University

19
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #19 spot for health professions this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 37 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $76,013 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,910 to complete this degree. See the full health professions program report for University Of Mary Washington

20

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #20 position for health professions this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 1,396 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $81,518 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

21
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University came in at #21 for health professions this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Birmingham. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 687 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Samford University in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Samford University earn a median of $104,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,179 to complete this degree. See the full health professions program report for Samford University

22

University Of Kentucky landed the #22 spot for health professions this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 2,023 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $79,660 in their early career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,807 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at University Of Kentucky

23
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 600 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $81,701 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,920. See the full health professions program report for Auburn University

24
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University landed the #24 spot for health professions this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 136 health professions students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Get the full health professions details for High Point University

25

Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #25 for health professions this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. About 852 health professions degrees were awarded at Seminole State College Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $65,979 in their early career. Seminole State College Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,418 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for Seminole State College Of Florida

Rest of the Top 50 Health Professions Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
30
31
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
32
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
33
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
34
35
36
37
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
38
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
39
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
40
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
41
42
43
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA
44
45
46
47
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
48
49
50

Additional Health Professions Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for health professions this year:

Rank School Location
#51 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
#53 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
#54 Florida International University Miami, FL
#55 Marymount University Arlington, VA
#56 The University Of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN
#57 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
#60 University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR
#63 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
#65 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
#67 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
#68 Galen College Of Nursing Louisville Louisville, KY
#72 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans New Orleans, LA
#74 University Of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
#76 Medical University Of South Carolina Charleston, SC
#78 University Of Mississippi Main Campus University, MS
#84 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA
#88 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL
#90 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
#91 Gaston College Dallas, NC
#92 Mercer University Macon, GA
#93 University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Greensboro, NC
#95 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
#105 Florida State College At Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
#112 University Of Louisville Louisville, KY
#119 Rasmussen College Florida Ocala, FL

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for health professions:

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View All Health Professions Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 1020 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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