Rankings / Value
Best ROI Colleges for Public Health
- 50
- Schools
- $70,234
- Avg. Earnings
- 69%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,607
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,672
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $43,150 to $131,426, a 3.0× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Hunter College delivers the most for the money: roughly $63,163 in median earnings against $2,984 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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CUNY Hunter College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,984 a year in net price.
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University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, versus a 69% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Berea College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.08× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Johns Hopkins University ($87,555 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Boston College costs $41,704. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $103,937, nowhere near the $38,720 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Hunter 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 CUNY Hunter 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 $67K 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
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
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 Johns Hopkins University #1 overall | $87,555 ▲ +25% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 83 |
| 2 University of Pennsylvania #2 overall | $111,371 ▲ +59% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 82 |
| 3 Duke University #3 overall | $97,800 ▲ +39% vs avg | $29,612 | 96% | 79 |
| $49,137 ▼ -30% vs avg | $9,364 | 60% | 79 | |
| $72,200 ▲ +3% vs avg | $11,655 | 92% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best ROI 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 $70,234 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 69% and an average net price of $17,607.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Hunter College — Net Price: $2,984 | Graduation Rate: 59%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Population Health Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about population health and public service?
$67,046
Median earnings (10yr)
68%
Median graduation rate
$15,635
Median net price
2.4%
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 schools is 68%. Median graduate earnings reach $67,046 ten years after enrollment, roughly $19,046 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $15,635 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $19,109. Some 30% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.4%.
What we’re seeing: the field is professionalizing, and government agencies and health systems now compete for the same analytic talent. Median earnings of $67,046 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 $15,635.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Johns Hopkins University lands at #1 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, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year. 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 #2
University of Pennsylvania lands at #2 with a 82/100 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, 59% 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 #3
Duke University lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 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 #4
University of West Florida lands at #4 with a 79/100 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, 30% 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
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #5
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #5 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 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 #6
University of Central Florida lands at #6 with a 78/100 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, 17% 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 #7
University of Florida lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Oregon Institute of Technology lands at #8 with a 77/100 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, 3% 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 #9
Emory University lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 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 #10
University of North Florida lands at #10 with a 77/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #11 with a 77/100 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, 19% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 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 #13
CUNY Lehman College lands at #13 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 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
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #14
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #14 with a 76/100 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, 87% 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 #15
Texas Woman's University lands at #15 with a 76/100 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, 19% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Portland lands at #16 with a 76/100 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, 18% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
CUNY Hunter College lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 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 #18
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #18 with a 76/100 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, 10% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #19 with a 76/100 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, 35% 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 #20
James Madison University lands at #20 with a 76/100 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, 0% 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 #21
Azusa Pacific University lands at #21 with a 76/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,212 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 #22
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #22 with a 75/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 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
CUNY York College lands at #23 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 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 #24
Binghamton University lands at #24 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 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 #25
Boston College lands at #25 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 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 #26
Florida Atlantic University lands at #26 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (69/100). Graduates earn a median $56,746 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,752 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
Rhode Island College lands at #27 with a 75/100 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, 20% 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 #28
Northeastern University lands at #28 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 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 #29
Boston University lands at #29 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 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 #30
Georgetown University lands at #30 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $103,494 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,815 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 #31
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #31 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 a year. 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 #32
Brigham Young University lands at #32 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 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 #33
Regis University lands at #33 with a 74/100 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, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 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 #34
San Jose State University lands at #34 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $78,988 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,760 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 #35
University of Rochester lands at #35 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 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
Nevada State University lands at #36 with a 74/100 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, 24% 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 #37
University of South Florida lands at #37 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $57,743 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,812 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
Wagner College lands at #38 with a 74/100 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, 6% 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 #39
Radford University lands at #39 with a 74/100 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, 23% 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 #40
Newman University lands at #40 with a 73/100 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, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,971 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
Ferris State University lands at #41 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $54,735 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,624 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
Rockhurst University lands at #42 with a 73/100 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% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Seattle University lands at #43 with a 73/100 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, 7% 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 #44
Immaculata University lands at #44 with a 73/100 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, 8% 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 #45
Valparaiso University lands at #45 with a 73/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 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
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #46 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 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 #47
University of Tulsa lands at #47 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,408 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,000 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 #48
Berea College lands at #48 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $43,150 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,106 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 #49
Christian Brothers University lands at #49 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,478 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,854 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 #50
Oakland University lands at #50 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,612 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,120 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
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
When considering a career in public health, choosing the right college can significantly impact your future earnings and stability. The schools on this list are recognized for their strong return on investment, combining rigorous health professions programs with impressive post-graduation outcomes. For instance, graduates from the University of Pennsylvania average over $111,000 in earnings, showcasing the financial potential in this field.
What sets these colleges apart is not just their academic reputation, but the tangible results they deliver. We examine key metrics such as earnings potential, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility outcomes. The schools listed below are selected based on how they perform on these critical factors. The average earnings across these institutions is about $75,690, with a graduation rate of 75%, indicating that students are not only starting their careers well but also completing their programs successfully.
Take, for example, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Florida. While Johns Hopkins graduates earn an impressive $87,555, they incur a higher debt of $10,250 compared to Florida's $15,000, which comes with a significantly lower net price of $6,541. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs between upfront costs and long-term financial benefits, making it essential for prospective students to weigh these factors carefully as they make their choices.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 49 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Lehman College leads the group at 10.2%, with CUNY Brooklyn College (8.1%) and CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Lehman College enrolls the most, at 36.7%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 34% across the list, peaking at 85.2% at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Boston College is highest at 1.89.
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
The data reveals a noteworthy trend: while schools like the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University both excel in earnings, their financial structures differ. For example, Duke's graduates earn $97,800 but take on $13,000 in debt, compared to the University of Pennsylvania's higher earnings of $111,371 with a debt burden of $15,715. This suggests that while both institutions yield strong financial returns, the differences in financial responsibility may affect a student's decision-making process.
Now that you’ve seen the rankings, how do you decide which school is best for you? Think about what matters most: Is it the location close to home, a specific program that aligns with your career goals, or a vibrant campus culture? Balancing financial factors like debt against personal priorities will guide you toward the right fit. Look for programs that not only meet your educational needs but also support your financial situation.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career in public health is influenced by these choices. For many students and families, the decision about where to enroll can shape future opportunities and financial security. By choosing wisely, the right college can serve as a launchpad into a fulfilling career that positively impacts communities.
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 ROI Colleges for Public Health: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best ROI Colleges for Public Health ranking? +
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Best ROI Colleges for Public Health ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $87,555 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% 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 $70,234 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, CUNY Hunter College leads: graduates earn a median $63,163 against net price of about $2,984 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 69% 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 $17,607 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best ROI 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
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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