2026 Best Public Health Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Health master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 894 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search reviewed schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Erie, PA, Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,790. Read the full report on Lake Erie College Of Osteopathic Medicine
You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #2 this year. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about Stanford University
You'll be in good company at Touro University California, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Vallejo, CA, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,005 in tuition and fees. Touro University California Public Health students take on a median of $16,002 in debt. More on Touro University California
You'll be in good company at Harvard University, which ranked #4 this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Public Health program here. More on Harvard University
Out of the 894 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #5 spot. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median Public Health program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $14,684 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine placed #8 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Dartmouth College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Dartmouth College Public Health students take on a median of $16,989 in debt. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Wake Forest University Public Health students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
Brown University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Brown University Public Health students take on a median of $11,760 in debt. More on Brown University
Yale University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Yale University Public Health students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. Get the full Yale University report
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Butte, MT, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Public Health program here. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
A T Still University Of Health Sciences came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Kirksville, MO, A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full A T Still University Of Health Sciences profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,973, with out-of-state students paying around $39,962. University Of Nebraska Medical Center Public Health students take on a median of $20,905 in debt. Get the full University Of Nebraska Medical Center report
Johns Hopkins University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Johns Hopkins University Public Health students take on a median of $15,500 in debt. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston Public Health students take on a median of $21,988 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston report
Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Des Moines, IA. Get the full Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #19 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Public Health student debt is $23,393. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Texas Wesleyan University placed #20 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Wesleyan University
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Cornell University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical Public Health student debt is $12,133. Read more about Cornell University
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #23 in this year's ranking. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,514. Typical Public Health student debt is $24,889. Read more about Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
West Coast University Dallas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Richardson, TX, West Coast University Dallas is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Dallas graduates 11% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574. West Coast University Dallas Public Health students take on a median of $38,145 in debt. See the full West Coast University Dallas profile
Emory University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full Emory University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Health Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical Public Health student debt is $25,106. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Tufts University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. The median Public Health program debt is $18,250. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Public Health program here. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located 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. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. The median Public Health program debt is $23,258. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The median Public Health program debt is $23,130. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Public Health students take on a median of $16,203 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Eastern Virginia Medical School came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Eastern Virginia Medical School is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Get the full Eastern Virginia Medical School report
Duke University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Duke University
Oregon Health And Science University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Oregon Health And Science University is a public school based in Portland, OR. 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. Get the full Oregon Health And Science University report
Loma Linda University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,960. Loma Linda University Public Health students take on a median of $25,094 in debt. See the full Loma Linda University profile
Campbell University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Campbell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Public Health program here. See the full Campbell University profile
University Of Iowa placed #37 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,469 in student loans. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. The median Public Health program debt is $26,000. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Suny Downstate Medical Center came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,822, compared with $19,662 for out-of-state students. Suny Downstate Medical Center Public Health students take on a median of $24,882 in debt. More on Suny Downstate Medical Center
Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charleston, SC, Medical University Of South Carolina is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,380 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $29,043 in student loans. Get the full Medical University Of South Carolina report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Public Health student debt is $16,490. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Southern California placed #42 among Public Health schools in the United States. Located 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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Public Health program debt is $15,250. Read more about University Of Southern California
Washington University In St Louis landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. The median Public Health program debt is $17,553. More on Washington University In St Louis
Thomas Jefferson University placed #44 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Thomas Jefferson University Public Health students take on a median of $32,256 in debt. Read the full report on Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. Set 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Public Health student debt is $21,813. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Arcadia University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Glenside, PA, Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Arcadia University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. See the full Arcadia University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Public Health schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
George Washington University placed #48 among Public Health schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. George Washington University Public Health students take on a median of $23,822 in debt. Get the full George Washington University report
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #49 position. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Public Health students take on a median of $18,856 in debt. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Public Health program here. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Related Public Health Rankings
Explore 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).