The 25 Best Public Health Degrees in 2024

The University of Florida takes the top spot on our list due to the high quality of its public health degrees and its affordable tuition. Its Bachelor of Public Health program starts in the student’s sophomore year, as their freshman year will be taken up by general education courses. This program is designed for students who plan to continue to graduate public health programs.

Brigham Young University offers top-notch public health degrees on its Idaho campus. This program is technically a Bachelor’s in Health Services with a concentration in Public Health. Students must further specialize in either Health Science or Health Education and Promotion.

The University of South Florida is the second school from Florida on our list, showing that students in the Sunshine State have plenty of choices when it comes to public health programs. USF is one of the few universities to have its own College of Public Health. Students receive all well-rounded education in all aspects of the field.

San Diego State University is the first of several schools from California on our list. Students must complete a long list of general education courses before they can enter the Bachelor’s in Public Health program. This program requires that students study abroad to learn about the public health system of another country. Students can also get an online pubic health degree from SDSU through a degree completion program.

Appalachian State University may not be the most well-known school on this list, but it offers top-notch public health degrees. Its Bachelor’s in Public Health program gives students a well-rounded education in the field. The school even has a public health club that students can join to network and fraternize.

The University of North Carolina has many highly regarded science-based programs, including a Bachelor’s in Public Health. This program prepares students for a career in research. It includes instruction in math and computer programming.

The University of Maryland offers the leading undergraduate public health program in the state. Students start by taking a broad base of courses in the sciences before moving onto specific public health classes. All students must complete a capstone project in order to graduate.

The University of Texas at Austin beats out some strong competition to take top spot in the state. The Bachelor’s in Public Health at UT Austin gives students a well-rounded education in the area instead of focusing on one topic. Students can get hands-on experience by working on the university’s public health initiatives.

Indiana University has one of the best undergraduate public health programs not just in the state, but in the region. The Bachelor’s in Public Health at IU focuses on preparing students to work with underserved communities. IU even offers an accelerated BS/MPH program that will allow students to get both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years.

The many public health students at Rutgers University benefit from the school’s location near New York City, as this offers many opportunities to study public health issues. Students can customize their course of study to suit their interests. Rutgers also offers certificate public health programs.

Texas A&M University is known for its STEM programs, including its Bachelor’s in Public Health degree. This program can be taken on the standard track, a pre-med/pre-dental track, and a nursing track. Exceptional students can also study for an accelerated BS/MPH in Epidemiology.

The University of North Texas may place just behind its in-state rival, but it still has an elite public health program. This program is offered through UNT’s College of Health and Public Service. Students who are pursuing a Bachelor’s in Public Health can choose from concentrations in Epidemiology, Administration, Emergency and Disaster Management, Biological Sciences, and Population Studies.

Arizona State University often features on such lists due to its affordable tuition and the high quality of its education. ASU’s Bachelor’s in Public Health trains students to use the latest technology to fight public health problems. All students are required to do an internship before they graduate.

The University of California – Berkeley is one of the top public universities in the country, so it’s hardly surprising that it makes this list. Students must complete general education requirements before they can be accepted into this major. This major only accepts a limited number of students each year.

The University of California – Irvine actually offers two public health degrees at the undergraduate level. One of these programs is called Public Health Sciences and the other is called Public Health Policy. Undergraduates have ample opportunity to conduct their own research, which is seldom the case at this level.

The University of California – San Diego, better known as UCSD, has a top-notch undergraduate public health program. This program gives students a broad base in the field. UCSD also has public health programs at the master’s and doctoral levels.

The University of Michigan boasts the leading public health program for undergraduates in the state. This program is heavily focused on epidemiology. The university recommends the program for students who plan to go to medical school, dental school, or graduate nursing school.

The University of Arizona has a unique and innovative undergraduate public health program at its Tucson campus. Students in the Bachelor’s in Public Health program can choose to specialize in Global Health, Health Promotion, Environmental & Occupational Health, or Health Systems. The school even offers an online public health degree program.

The University of Minnesota is one of two leading public health programs in the state. UMN’s School of Public Health has been in operation for over 75 years, making it one of the oldest in the country. UMN does not offer an undergraduate degree, but it does offer MPH degrees and a doctoral program.

Unlike the flagship University of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota – Duluth does offer an undergraduate degree in public health. Students in this degree program can choose concentrations in School Health or Community Education & Promotion. Those in the School Health concentration are eligible to become licensed teachers.

The College of New Jersey is one of the state’s lesser-known institutions, but it still offers a first-rate public health program. All students are required to complete an internship to ensure that they gain hands-on experience before they graduate. Students must also meet a foreign language requirement to ensure that they can contribute to global health.

The University of Illinois – Chicago offers an excellent public health program that is located in a densely populated urban environment. Students must complete general education requirements before they can start the public health program. Students must complete a capstone research project before graduation.

Temple University in Philadelphia has the leading public health program in the state of Pennsylvania. The Bachelor’s in Public Health at Temple focuses on health concerns in an urban environment. Students can get hands-on experience through numerous internship opportunities.

Johns Hopkins University is known for the quality of its health sciences programs, so it’s no surprise to find the Baltimore-based institution on our list. Students get a well-rounded education in all aspects of public health. They even have the opportunity to travel and study public health issues in Uganda.

New York University‘s undergraduate public health program gives students the opportunity to study in New York City. NYU actually blends nursing and public health into a Bachelor’s in Nursing with a concentration in Global Public Health. This dual approach gives students a unique skillset that they wouldn’t get from similar programs.