Rankings / By Major
Best Colleges for Public Health
- 50
- Schools
- $64,453
- Avg. Earnings
- 61%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,808
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,736
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $45,325 to $131,426, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Rhode Island College delivers the most for the money: roughly $56,318 in median earnings against $9,478 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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University of Virginia's College at Wise is the lowest-cost school here at $9,210 a year in net price.
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University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, versus a 61% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Johns Hopkins University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 University of West Florida ($49,137 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of Virginia's College at Wise costs $9,210 a year and Dominican University of California costs $35,333. Yet their graduates earn $45,325 and $84,713, nowhere near the $26,123 price gap.
- On value, Rhode Island College beats Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Rhode Island College and University of Pennsylvania. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of West Florida #1 overall | $49,137 ▼ -24% vs avg | $9,364 | 60% | 88 |
| 2 Oregon Institute of Technology #2 overall | $72,273 ▲ +12% vs avg | $15,706 | 56% | 87 |
| 3 The University of Texas at Tyler #3 overall | $57,053 ▼ -11% vs avg | $13,323 | 51% | 86 |
| $131,426 ▲ +104% vs avg | $29,882 | 68% | 86 | |
| $56,544 ▼ -12% vs avg | $11,963 | 47% | 86 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges for Public Health
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,453 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 61% and an average net price of $20,808.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Rhode Island College — Net Price: $9,478 | Graduation Rate: 47%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Population Health Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about population health and public service?
$61,816
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$20,379
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Public-health programs train the people who run health departments, model epidemics, and design the systems that keep communities well. Demand surged after COVID-19 and has stayed elevated across epidemiology, health administration, and government and nonprofit roles. Public-sector pay ceilings are lower, so the social return often outruns the financial one.
The median graduation rate across these 50 programs is 62%. Median graduate earnings reach $61,816 ten years after enrollment, roughly $13,816 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $20,379 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,834. Some 31% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: the field is professionalizing, and government agencies and health systems now compete for the same analytic talent. Median earnings of $61,816 reflect the public-service trade-off. Value here depends on keeping debt low relative to those salaries, and the typical net price on this list (what students pay after grants) is $20,379.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of West Florida lands at #1 with a 88/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #2 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $72,273 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,706 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #3 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #4
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #4 with a 86/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 104% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Texas Woman's University lands at #5 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Portland lands at #6 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $82,804 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,210 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Azusa Pacific University lands at #7 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $66,677 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,212 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #8 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #9 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,990 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Regis University lands at #10 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $72,105 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Pennsylvania lands at #11 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 73% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Wagner College lands at #12 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $74,360 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,241 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Radford University lands at #13 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,739 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Immaculata University lands at #14 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Nevada State University lands at #15 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $53,166 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Rockhurst University lands at #16 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $67,102 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,884 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Newman University lands at #17 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $55,041 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,971 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Rhode Island College lands at #18 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,318 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,478 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Johns Hopkins University lands at #19 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
The College of Saint Scholastica lands at #20 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $65,934 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,846 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Holy Family University lands at #21 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Oklahoma City University lands at #22 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,655 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Concordia University Texas lands at #23 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Valparaiso University lands at #24 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,191 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Linfield University lands at #25 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $78,638 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,536 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Samford University lands at #26 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,469 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,622 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of Central Florida lands at #27 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $58,308 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,411 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Seattle University lands at #28 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #29 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $45,325 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Midwestern State University lands at #30 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Tennessee Wesleyan University lands at #31 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,989 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Southwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #32 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,744 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,459 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
James Madison University lands at #33 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Dominican University of California lands at #34 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $84,713 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,333 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Jacksonville University lands at #35 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,010 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,180 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Southern Adventist University lands at #36 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,723 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,345 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Mercy University lands at #37 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,055 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,072 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Notre Dame of Maryland University lands at #38 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,344 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,169 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Mount Saint Mary College lands at #39 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $67,705 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,522 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Carroll College lands at #40 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $61,772 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,960 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Utica University lands at #41 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,277 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
University of North Florida lands at #42 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #43 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Huntington University lands at #44 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $46,672 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,310 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
University of Charleston lands at #45 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,774 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,107 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Carlow University lands at #46 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,051 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,786 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
University of Saint Joseph lands at #47 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $59,908 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,989 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Georgian Court University lands at #48 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $53,096 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Adelphi University lands at #49 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $75,482 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Moravian University lands at #50 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,860 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,670 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
Public health is a growing field that combines health sciences with community service, and it's becoming an increasingly popular choice for students. With an average earning potential of $72,926 for graduates in this major, many are looking at colleges that can provide them with the tools to succeed in this vital area of work.
The schools listed here stand out for their strong outcomes in critical areas like graduation rates, earnings, and manageable debt. For instance, while the average graduation rate across these programs is 69%, some institutions achieve rates as high as 97%. This reflects the effectiveness of their support systems and curriculum in preparing students for careers in public health.
Take the University of Pennsylvania, which leads the list with an impressive $111,371 average salary after graduation and a 97% graduation rate. In contrast, CUNY Lehman College has a significantly lower earning potential of $58,013 and a graduation rate of just 50%. These differences highlight the importance of choosing a school that aligns with your career goals and financial considerations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 50 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.9%. Utica University leads the group at 5%, with Mercy University (3.5%) and Oregon Institute of Technology (3.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 7.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. University of West Florida leads at 27.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 28.2% across this list. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest success rate at 85.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.66 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Pennsylvania reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When examining the data, one notable pattern emerges: University of Pennsylvania's high graduation and earning rates significantly outpace those of Mount Carmel College of Nursing. With a graduation rate of 97% and earnings of $111,371, Penn clearly demonstrates the benefits of its robust program and resources, while Mount Carmel's 64% graduation rate and $75,103 earnings suggest there may be challenges to consider for prospective students.
As you weigh your options among these 50 schools, think about what matters most to you. Are you looking for a school with a strong support system to help you graduate? Or is affordability your primary concern? Consider how each school's strengths align with your personal priorities, whether that's location, campus culture, or faculty expertise.
Ultimately, the decision you make now can have lasting implications on your career trajectory and financial well-being. Choosing a school that prepares you for a stable career in public health can open doors to fulfilling work that makes a difference in communities. It's about finding the right fit for your aspirations and circumstances.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges for Public Health: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges for Public Health ranking? +
University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges for Public Health ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $49,137 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 60% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,453 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Rhode Island College leads: graduates earn a median $56,318 against net price of about $9,478 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 61% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,808 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. University of Virginia's College at Wise is among the most affordable at roughly $9,210. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges for Public Health ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
