Rankings / HBCU
Best HBCUs for Public Health
- 45
- Schools
- $41,866
- Avg. Earnings
- 38%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,110
- Avg. Net Price
- $26,740
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 45 schools run from $29,288 to $63,066, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of the Virgin Islands delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,681 in median earnings against $7,469 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Lawson State Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $6,275 a year in net price.
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Spelman College graduates 77% of its students, versus a 38% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Howard University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.39× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Winston-Salem State University ($45,344 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Howard University ($63,066), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Lawson State Community College costs $6,275 a year and Howard University costs $50,539. Yet their graduates earn $31,701 and $63,066, nowhere near the $44,264 price gap.
- On value, University of the Virgin Islands beats Howard University: 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 University of the Virgin Islands and Spelman College. 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 $40K 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 Winston-Salem State University #1 overall | $45,344 ▲ +8% vs avg | $13,479 | 48% | 79 |
| 2 Bluefield State University #2 overall | $38,217 ▼ -9% vs avg | $13,684 | 36% | 78 |
| 3 Albany State University #3 overall | $40,674 ▼ -3% vs avg | $11,898 | 27% | 73 |
| $43,167 ▲ +3% vs avg | $14,977 | 48% | 73 | |
| $40,144 ▼ -4% vs avg | $7,892 | 37% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best HBCUs for Public Health
This analysis ranks 45 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $41,866 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 38% and an average net price of $17,110.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of the Virgin Islands — Net Price: $7,469 | Graduation Rate: 28%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Spelman College — 77% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Howard University — Median alumni earnings: $63,066
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?
$40,492
Median earnings (10yr)
36%
Median graduation rate
$14,985
Median net price
2.9%
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 45 schools is 36%. Median graduate earnings reach $40,492 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $14,985 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $27,000. Some 59% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.9%.
What we’re seeing: the field is professionalizing, and government agencies and health systems now compete for the same analytic talent. Median earnings of $40,492 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 $14,985.
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
Winston-Salem State University lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,344 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 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 #2
Bluefield State University lands at #2 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,217 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,684 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 #3
Albany State University lands at #3 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,674 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,898 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 #4
Lincoln University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 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 #5
Fayetteville State University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 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
Tallahassee, FL · 21% accepted · $13,739 net
Why it ranks #6
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,739 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 #7
Tuskegee University lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $49,641 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,013 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 #8
Hampton University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $59,159 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,319 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
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #9
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 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 #10
Norfolk State University lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,666 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 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
West Virginia State University lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $40,492 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 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 #12
Howard University lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (22/100). Graduates earn a median $63,066 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,539 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
Coppin State University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,490 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Kentucky State University lands at #14 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,382 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,040 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 #15
Spelman College lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $59,993 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,967 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 #16
Xavier University of Louisiana lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,184 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,127 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 #17
North Carolina Central University lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 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.
Pillar breakdown
Pine Bluff, AR · 41% accepted · $12,653 net
Why it ranks #18
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,550 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,653 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
Claflin University lands at #19 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,304 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 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
Charlotte Amalie, VI · 99% accepted · $7,469 net
Why it ranks #20
University of the Virgin Islands lands at #20 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $38,681 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,469 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 35% accepted · $20,077 net
Why it ranks #21
Southern University and A & M College lands at #21 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,371 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,077 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 #22
Texas Southern University lands at #22 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 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 #23
Tennessee State University lands at #23 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,730 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 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 #24
University of the District of Columbia lands at #24 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,236 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,648 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Prairie View A & M University lands at #25 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,411 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,570 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #26 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,042 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,810 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 #27
South Carolina State University lands at #27 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,262 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,097 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 #28
Dillard University lands at #28 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,196 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,094 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 #29
Langston University lands at #29 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $33,261 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,504 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
Oakwood University lands at #30 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $42,488 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,669 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 #31
Florida Memorial University lands at #31 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $36,624 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,238 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 #32
Bowie State University lands at #32 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,537 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 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 #33
Virginia Union University lands at #33 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 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 #34
Alcorn State University lands at #34 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (54/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,421 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,265 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 #35
Delaware State University lands at #35 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,307 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,910 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Jackson State University lands at #36 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $39,060 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,836 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
Paul Quinn College lands at #37 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $29,288 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,709 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
Morgan State University lands at #38 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,698 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Lincoln University lands at #39 with a 54/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $39,463 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,092 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 #40
Johnson C Smith University lands at #40 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,680 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,894 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 #41
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #41 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 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 #42
Alabama State University lands at #42 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (56/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $34,502 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,435 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 #43
Benedict College lands at #43 with a 46/100 composite, led by social mobility (55/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $31,902 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,250 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 #44
Lawson State Community College lands at #44 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (23/100). Graduates earn a median $31,701 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,275 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Morris College lands at #45 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $30,614 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 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 45 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
HBCUs play a crucial role in educating future public health professionals, combining community focus with specialized training. With 44 schools ranked in this category, students and families are weighing options based on key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and affordability.
What sets the top schools apart is their track record in producing graduates who succeed in the health professions, as indicated by their earnings potential and completion rates. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is $41,765, while the average graduation rate is 37%. Understanding these figures can help prospective students make informed decisions about where to pursue their studies.
For example, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University stands out with a graduation rate of 53% and average earnings of $44,349, while Coppin State University has a lower graduation rate of 26% but higher earnings at $46,490. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students might consider when selecting a school that fits their career aspirations and financial situation.
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 27 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.9%. Xavier University of Louisiana leads the group at 5.3%, with Tuskegee University (5.2%) and Dillard University (5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 20.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southern University at New Orleans leads at 37.9%, 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 16.5% across this list. Howard University posts the highest success rate at 37.1%. 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 1.15 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Hampton University reaches 1.62, 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 comparing Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Winston-Salem State University, the difference in graduation rates is striking. Florida A&M graduates 53% of its students, while Winston-Salem graduates 48%. However, Winston-Salem's average earnings are slightly higher at $45,344 compared to Florida A&M's $44,349. This illustrates how a school’s performance in graduation rates can correlate with long-term earnings potential.
As you sift through these rankings, weigh the data against your personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, the specific public health programs offered, campus culture, and your financial situation. Understanding how these elements align with the metrics in the rankings can help narrow down your choices and lead to a more satisfying college experience.
The pathway from college to a stable future is shaped by these educational choices. Families need to recognize that attending an HBCU with a focus on public health can lead to varied outcomes. Choosing the right institution could mean the difference between manageable debt and a fulfilling career in health professions, affecting one family's financial stability and quality of life for years to come.
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 HBCUs for Public Health: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best HBCUs for Public Health ranking? +
Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best HBCUs for Public Health ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $45,344 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 48% 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? +
Howard University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,066 ten years after enrollment, well above the $41,866 average across the 45 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, University of the Virgin Islands leads: graduates earn a median $38,681 against net price of about $7,469 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? +
Spelman College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 77%, compared with a 38% 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 $17,110 a year across the 45 ranked schools with cost data. Lawson State Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,275. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best HBCUs 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 45 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
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