2026 Best Public Health Schools
Looking for the best Public Health programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 894 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Public Health Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Erie, PA, Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,790. More on Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine
The strong Public Health programs at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Stanford University Public Health students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Get the full Stanford University report
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Touro University California landed the #3 spot. Set in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,005. Typical Public Health student debt is $16,002. Get the full Touro University California report
A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical Public Health student debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Harvard University
A rank of #5 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. The median Public Health program debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
A T Still University Of Health Sciences ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Based in Kirksville, MO, A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about A T Still University Of Health Sciences
Northwestern University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Public Health students take on a median of $14,684 in debt. More on Northwestern University
Brown University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. Get the full Brown University report
University Of California Berkeley ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,729 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Santa Clara University placed #10 among Public Health schools in the United States. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical Public Health student debt is $24,500. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine placed #11 among Public Health schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Dartmouth College placed #12 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. The median Public Health program debt is $16,989. Read more about Dartmouth College
University Of Chicago ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. University Of Chicago Public Health students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Wake Forest University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Wake Forest University Public Health students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Illinois State University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Normal, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Public Health program here. Read more about Illinois State University
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences placed #16 among Public Health schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Albany, NY. Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $41,125 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Yale University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Public Health program here. More on Yale University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston placed #18 among Public Health schools in the United States. This public school is set in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $15,748, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,988. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston report
New York Medical College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Valhalla, NY, New York Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full New York Medical College report
University Of Nebraska Medical Center came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,973, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. The median Public Health program debt is $20,905. More on University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana graduates 58% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. The median Public Health program debt is $27,000. Read more about Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Public Health student debt is $18,856. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Public Health program debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Des Moines, IA. See the full Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center profile
Johns Hopkins University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Health Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse Public Health students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin La Crosse report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Public Health students take on a median of $23,393 in debt. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Texas Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Health student debt is $26,461. Read more about Texas Wesleyan University
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Public Health program debt is $26,000. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Tufts University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. The median Public Health program debt is $18,250. Get the full Tufts University report
Cornell University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $12,133 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
The College Of New Jersey landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $23,130 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete their Public Health program here. Read more about Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
West Coast University Dallas did well this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Richardson, TX, West Coast University Dallas is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Dallas posts a six-year graduation rate of 11%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574. West Coast University Dallas Public Health students take on a median of $38,145 in debt. More on West Coast University Dallas
Emory University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. The median Public Health program debt is $19,431. Read more about Emory University
Case Western Reserve University placed #37 among Public Health schools in the United States. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,608. The median Public Health program debt is $25,106. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Oklahoma City, OK, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,925, with out-of-state students paying around $25,714. The median Public Health program debt is $22,613. See the full University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center profile
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. The median Public Health program debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
Elon University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Elon, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,958. Typical Public Health student debt is $20,500. Read the full report on Elon University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #41 among Public Health schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Public Health students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Dominican University Of California did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in San Rafael, CA, Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,161. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Dominican University Of California
Duke University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full Duke University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #44 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #45 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $23,424 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #46 among Public Health schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus Public Health students take on a median of $16,490 in debt. Read more about University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Typical Public Health student debt is $23,258. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
California State University Stanislaus did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full California State University Stanislaus report
Eastern Virginia Medical School ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Norfolk, VA, Eastern Virginia Medical School is a public institution. Read more about Eastern Virginia Medical School
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $16,203. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Loma Linda University came in at #51 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Read the full report on Loma Linda University
Best Public Health Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Public Health Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 894 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).