Public Health: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Public Health is a dynamic and vital field dedicated to improving the health and well-being of populations through evidence-based strategies, policy development, and systemic intervention. This program equips learners with the analytical, managerial, and ethical frameworks needed to address complex health challenges in diverse environments, from government agencies to global health organizations.
- Epidemiology: The scientific study of disease patterns and health outcomes within populations, used to identify risk factors and guide prevention efforts.
- Biostatistics: The application of statistical methods to analyze health data, enabling informed decision-making and evaluation of public health interventions.
- Public Health Principles: Foundational concepts governing the organization, delivery, and evaluation of population-focused health services and programs.
- Preventive Medicine: Strategies and practices aimed at preventing disease, promoting wellness, and reducing health disparities before conditions arise.
- Health Policy and Regulations: The development, implementation, and analysis of laws and policies that shape health systems and ensure equitable access to care.
- Health Care Services and Administration: Core functions related to managing health programs, operations, staffing, and service delivery across public and private sectors.
- Public Health Law Enforcement: The application of legal frameworks to uphold public health standards, ensure compliance, and respond to health emergencies.
- Health Economics and Budgeting: The analysis of resource allocation, cost-effectiveness, and financial planning in health systems to maximize impact and sustainability.
- Public Communications: The strategic dissemination of health information to diverse audiences, fostering awareness, behavior change, and trust in public health initiatives.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Guiding principles that uphold integrity, accountability, and equity in public health practice and decision-making.
Public Health Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Public Health Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Public Health degrees, including Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Health Education Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 921,440 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Health Education Specialists 21-1091 | $63,000 | $42,210 - $112,900 | 65,150 | $30.29 |
| Community Health Workers 21-1094 | $51,030 | $37,930 - $78,560 | 60,730 | $24.54 |
Public Health Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $68,205 in Alabama to $126,263 in District of Columbia—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 921,440 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Public Health by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Public Health programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Public Health is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (516 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (472 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (468 graduates), University of South Florida (USF) (429 graduates), and University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia (426 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 18,590 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
516 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
|
472 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
468 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
429 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
426 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
404 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
398 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
383 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
375 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
365 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
356 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
343 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
323 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
301 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
296 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
286 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
280 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
274 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
272 | Kirksville, Missouri | Private | atsu.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
260 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
255 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
250 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
248 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Walden University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
240 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
240 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
240 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
235 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
235 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
231 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Residency
|
229 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
227 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
226 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
204 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
202 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
197 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
195 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
190 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Benedictine University (BenU) |
Master's
|
190 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | ben.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
188 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
184 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
175 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
175 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
172 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
171 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
168 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
163 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
159 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
155 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
154 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
147 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
142 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Capella University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
138 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
136 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
134 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
131 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
131 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
118 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
114 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
113 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
112 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Master's
|
111 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
108 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
107 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
107 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
104 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of California |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
104 | Merced, California | Public | ucmerced.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
102 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
102 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | downstate.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
101 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
101 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
99 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
98 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
98 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
96 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
96 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Columbia Southern University (CSU) |
Master's
|
96 | Orange Beach, Alabama | Private | columbiasouthern.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
94 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
92 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
91 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
90 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
89 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Master's
|
88 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
86 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
82 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
80 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Master's
|
79 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Master's
|
79 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Touro University California (TUC) |
Master's
|
78 | Vallejo, California | Private | tu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
75 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
73 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Mercer University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
73 | Macon, Georgia | Private | mercer.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
73 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
73 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | xula.edu |
| California State University (CSUEB) |
Bachelor's
|
72 | Hayward, California | Public | csueastbay.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
72 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
71 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
70 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Public Health programs
How much can I earn with a Public Health degree?
Salaries for Public Health graduates vary by role and location. Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median of $117,960 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $126,263 compared to $68,205 in Alabama. Approximately 921,440 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Public Health programs?
Currently 456 accredited institutions offer Public Health degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (516 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (472 graduates), and Rutgers University, New Brunswick (468 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Public Health growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6,871 in 2010 to 25,004 in 2023-24. This represents a 264% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Public Health degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and Health Education Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 921,440 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology
A program that prepares individuals to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments; manage clinical laboratories; and consult with...
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists, to cut, grind, edge, and finish corrective lenses and to fabricate...
Histologic Technology
A program that prepares individuals, at the request of physicians, researchers, and laboratory scientists, to identify tissue structures and cell components and relate...
Histologic Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of histotechnologists and other clinical laboratory scientists, to prepare and process tissue samples and perform...
Phlebotomy Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and other health care professionals, to draw blood samples from patients using a...
Genetics Technology
A program that prepares individuals to perform analyses of the human genome and chromosomes for the research and diagnosis of genetic diseases and...