2026 Best Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Health doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 894 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search reviewed schools to build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best Public Health school in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical Public Health student debt is $10,492. More on Stanford University
You'll be in good company at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Vanderbilt University Public Health students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on this year's Public Health ranking in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
You'll be in good company at Brown University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. See the full Brown University profile
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Harvard University landed the #5 spot. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 98% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. The median Public Health program debt is $16,616. More on Harvard University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Public Health program debt is $11,729. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This public school is set in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston report
Yale University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Yale University Public Health students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. More on Yale University
Loma Linda University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. 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 more about Loma Linda University
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Oklahoma City, OK, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,925 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,714. Graduates carry a median of $22,613 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Medical College Of Wisconsin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Read more about Medical College Of Wisconsin
Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Radford University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Radford, VA, Radford University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. More on Radford University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. University Of Southern California Public Health students take on a median of $15,250 in debt. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center placed #16 among Public Health schools in the United States. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. Students from in state pay about $16,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. Typical Public Health student debt is $20,905. Get the full University Of Nebraska Medical Center report
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $18,856 in student loans. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
New York University placed #18 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical Public Health student debt is $19,000. See the full New York University profile
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, 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 Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,813. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Public Health program debt is $19,689. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located 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. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Public Health students take on a median of $16,203 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Samford University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Samford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,039. More on Samford University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. See the full Virginia Commonwealth University profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #26 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Typical Public Health student debt is $15,500. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Health Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Capella University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Capella University posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. Graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. More on Capella University
Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Public Health program here. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #30 among Public Health schools in the United States. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,181. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Widener University Main Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chester, PA. Widener University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Typical Public Health student debt is $26,561. Read more about Widener University Main Campus
Suny Downstate Medical Center landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Suny Downstate Medical Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,822, while out-of-state students pay about $19,662. Typical Public Health student debt is $24,882. More on Suny Downstate Medical Center
Emory University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. The median Public Health program debt is $19,431. See the full Emory University profile
Washington University In St Louis ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Boston University placed #36 among Public Health schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,678 in student loans. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Claremont Graduate University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Public Health program here. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Iowa came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Public Health student debt is $22,469. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Saint Louis University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,122 to complete their Public Health program here. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #42 position. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical Public Health student debt is $23,822. Get the full George Washington University report
Temple University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $27,000. Get the full Temple University report
Georgetown University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Health student debt is $12,000. Get the full Georgetown University report
University Of Georgia ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete their Public Health program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Wayne State University placed #47 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical Public Health student debt is $20,500. See the full Wayne State University profile
University Of California Davis ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical Public Health student debt is $14,404. More on University Of California Davis
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #49 among Public Health schools in the United States. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
Oregon Health And Science University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Portland, OR, Oregon Health And Science University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $24,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,338. Graduates carry a median of $32,059 in student loans. Read the full report on Oregon Health And Science University
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #51 position. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical Public Health student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Related Public Health Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Public Health Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).
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