Best Public Health Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Health Professions Colleges in the South
Regional list from Best Public Health Programs in the United States
This page ranks 66 Public Health programs in the South by the median earnings of Public Health graduates four years after completing. Duke University ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $101,771 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $101,771 to $22,087, with a median of $54,944. 5 of the 66 listed programs report the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 50 of the programs and private nonprofits for 16. University of Florida posts the lowest average net price on the list at $6,541.
The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the best showing in the group.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $101,771 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
| Duke University ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $101,771 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $87,217 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| A private nonprofit university in Washington, George Washington University reports an admission rate of 47% and median earnings of $87,217 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Elon University · Elon, NC | $81,153 | $41,555 | $26,523 | 66.4% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Elon University left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, while the school's Public Health graduates earned a median of $81,153 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD | $79,113 | $18,809 | $428 | 6.4% |
| Johns Hopkins University posts an average net price of $18,809 and median earnings of $79,113 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $78,085 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| With an average net price of $13,936, University of Georgia reports median earnings of $78,085 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $72,419 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
| North Carolina A & T State University admits 50% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earned a median of $72,419 four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $72,328 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| With 458 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of Maryland-College Park reports median earnings of $72,328 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | American University · Washington, DC | $70,831 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
| American University ranks 901st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $70,831 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $70,793 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware reports an average net price of $17,799 and median earnings of $70,793 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $68,605 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Florida left with a median of $15,000 in federal loans, while the school's Public Health graduates earned a median of $68,605 four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $67,891 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas admits 74% of applicants and reports median earnings of $67,891 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $67,452 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| With an average net price of $18,309, University of Central Oklahoma reports median earnings of $67,452 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 13 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $66,732 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station reports median earnings of $66,732 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, and ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 14 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $65,358 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| With an admission rate of 87%, George Mason University posts median earnings of $65,358 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $64,888 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University carries an average net price of $15,634 and reports median earnings of $64,888 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $63,965 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
| Median federal debt of $21,500 across all of University of North Carolina at Charlotte's borrowers who completed coincides with median earnings of $63,965 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Agnes Scott College · Decatur, GA | $63,621 | $24,754 | $21,467 | 62.2% |
| Agnes Scott College, a private nonprofit institution in Decatur, reports median earnings of $63,621 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | Xavier University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $63,204 | $17,127 | $14,405 | 69.0% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana reports median earnings of $63,204 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $14,405 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 19 | Georgia College & State University · Milledgeville, GA | $62,386 | $20,686 | $15,396 | 78.2% |
| Georgia College & State University ranks 19th on this list, with median earnings of $62,386 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $61,698 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| With a cohort of 8 graduates in the earnings cohort, Western Carolina University reports median earnings of $61,698 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $61,665 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University reports median earnings of $61,665 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, and ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 22 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport · Shreveport, LA | $61,423 | $7,022 | $5,680 | 50.6% |
| Louisiana State University-Shreveport carries an average net price of $7,022 and reports median earnings of $61,423 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 23 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $61,390 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin admits 27% of applicants and reports median earnings of $61,390 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $60,722 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $19,500 in federal loans at University of North Carolina Wilmington, which reports median earnings of $60,722 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Mercer University · Macon, GA | $60,401 | $23,847 | $19,817 | 68.9% |
| Mercer University reports median earnings of $60,401 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, with 53 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 26 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $59,566 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
| A public university in Greenville, East Carolina University admits 89% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $59,566 four years after completing. | |||||
| 27 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $59,163 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $22,500 in federal loans at University of Kentucky, which ranks 220th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 28 | The University of Tampa · Tampa, FL | $58,777 | $36,211 | $30,011 | 40.3% |
| The University of Tampa posts an average net price of $36,211 and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $58,777 four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $58,715 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| With 438 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of South Carolina-Columbia reports median earnings of $58,715 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, FL | $58,119 | $12,568 | $8,220 | 63.4% |
| Florida Gulf Coast University carries an average net price of $8,220 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 259th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 31 | University of Lynchburg · Lynchburg, VA | $57,945 | $22,235 | $20,692 | 43.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Lynchburg, University of Lynchburg reports median earnings of $57,945 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | University of Louisville · Louisville, KY | $56,057 | $17,988 | $15,138 | 79.4% |
| University of Louisville admits 79% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $56,057 four years after completing, with 83 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 33 | College of Charleston · Charleston, SC | $55,660 | $18,960 | $12,133 | 60.0% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $23,250 in federal loans at College of Charleston, which reports median earnings of $55,660 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $54,229 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $54,229 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $54,188 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio posts an average net price of $7,870 for families earning under $30,000 and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $54,188 four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $53,560 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| With an average net price of $9,812, University of South Florida reports median earnings of $53,560 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 37 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $53,124 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro reports median earnings of $53,124 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,965. | |||||
| 38 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $52,543 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 86.2% |
| East Tennessee State University admits 86% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $52,543 four years after completing. | |||||
| 39 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $52,517 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, where the Public Health program reports median earnings of $52,517 four years after completing. | |||||
| 40 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $52,438 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 90.0% |
| University of Houston-Downtown ranks 73rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $52,438 four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | Murray State University · Murray, KY | $51,848 | $9,096 | $6,242 | 85.7% |
| Murray State University posts an average net price of $9,096 and median earnings of $51,848 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 42 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $51,588 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
| The University of Alabama reports median earnings of $51,588 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 144 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 43 | Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY | $51,086 | $11,040 | $8,591 | 77.6% |
| Eastern Kentucky University admits 78% of applicants, and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $51,086 four years after completing. | |||||
| 44 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $50,970 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Median federal debt of $21,983 across all of Sam Houston State University's borrowers who completed coincides with median earnings of $50,970 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $49,881 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University ranks 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $49,881 four years after completing. | |||||
| 46 | University of the Ozarks · Clarksville, AR | $49,174 | $17,360 | $14,664 | 59.5% |
| University of the Ozarks, a private nonprofit university in Clarksville, reports median earnings of $49,174 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 47 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $49,039 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University posts an average net price of $16,836 and median earnings of $49,039 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 48 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $48,926 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $24,500 in federal loans at Liberty University, where the Public Health program reports median earnings of $48,926 four years after completing. | |||||
| 49 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $48,896 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
| Georgia State University reports median earnings of $48,896 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 130 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 50 | Coastal Carolina University · Conway, SC | $48,238 | $13,966 | $9,563 | 75.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Coastal Carolina University left with a median of $23,750 in federal loans, and the school's Public Health graduates earn $48,238 four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $48,057 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 99.6% |
| Northeastern State University admits 100% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $48,057 four years after completing, from a cohort of 10. | |||||
| 52 | Dillard University · New Orleans, LA | $47,641 | $22,094 | $19,819 | 41.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in New Orleans, Dillard University has an average net price of $22,094 and reports median earnings of $47,641 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $47,419 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
| University of Southern Mississippi ranks 53rd on this list, with median earnings of $47,419 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 99%. | |||||
| 54 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $46,320 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| With an average net price of $13,359, Middle Tennessee State University reports median earnings of $46,320 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | Southeastern Louisiana University · Hammond, LA | $45,401 | $13,154 | $10,507 | 99.3% |
| Southeastern Louisiana University posts median earnings of $45,401 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, and the school's median federal debt across all borrowers who completed is $22,113. | |||||
| 56 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $44,665 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso ranks 39th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $44,665 four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL | $44,398 | $18,749 | $16,172 | 88.2% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham reports median earnings of $44,398 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 107 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 58 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $43,605 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Western Kentucky University left with a median of $22,095 in federal loans, and the school's Public Health graduates earn $43,605 four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $43,524 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| University of the Incarnate Word admits 98% of applicants and its Public Health graduates earn a median of $43,524 four years after completing, from a cohort of 10. | |||||
| 60 | Georgetown University · Washington, DC | $42,682 | $40,815 | $5,064 | 12.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Washington, Georgetown University has an admission rate of 13% and reports median earnings of $42,682 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 61 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $42,267 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% |
| University of North Carolina Asheville reports median earnings of $42,267 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, with 40 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 62 | Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS | $38,325 | $12,411 | $10,676 | 90.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Mississippi University for Women left with a median of $15,000 in federal loans, and the school ranks 335th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 63 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $38,289 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas admits 72% of applicants and carries an average net price of $15,649. | |||||
| 64 | Delaware State University · Dover, DE | $34,526 | $13,910 | $11,135 | 46.6% |
| A public university in Dover, Delaware State University ranks 64th on this list and posts an admission rate of 47%. | |||||
| 65 | Barton College · Wilson, NC | $29,685 | $23,626 | $19,641 | 94.2% |
| Barton College shows median earnings of $29,685 for its Public Health graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,641 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | Fairmont State University · Fairmont, WV | $22,087 | $9,032 | $8,434 | 98.6% |
| Fairmont State University ranks 66th on this list, with an average net price of $9,032 and 6 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Public Health graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided Public Health graduates who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. For 5 of the 66 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from Duke University to the bottom of the list is $79,684.
Related rankings
- Best Public Health Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Public Health Programs in the Midwest
- Best Public Health Programs in the Northeast
- Best Public Health Programs in the West
- Best Health Professions Colleges in the South
- Health Professions Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Nursing Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Nursing Colleges in the South
- Physical Therapy Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
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