[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Public Health Programs in the South (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Health Professions Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-health-professions-colleges-in-the-south/)

Regional list from [Best Public Health Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-public-health-programs/)

This page ranks 66 Public Health programs in the South by the median earnings of Public Health graduates four years after completing. [Duke University](/school/duke-university/majors/) 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

66 schools in list order

| 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](/school/duke-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with [median earnings of $101,771](/school/duke-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) reports an [admission rate of 47%](/school/george-washington-university/admissions/) 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](/school/johns-hopkins-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $18,809](/school/johns-hopkins-university/cost/) 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,](/school/university-of-georgia/cost/) [University of Georgia](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/) 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](/school/north-carolina-a-t-state-university/majors/) [admits 50% of applicants](/school/north-carolina-a-t-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/majors/) reports [median earnings of $72,328](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/outcomes/) for its Public Health graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | American University · Washington, DC | $70,831 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
|  | [American University](/school/american-university/majors/) [ranks 901st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/american-university/) 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](/school/university-of-delaware/majors/) reports an [average net price of $17,799](/school/university-of-delaware/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) left with a [median of $15,000](/school/university-of-florida/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-arkansas/majors/) [admits 74% of applicants](/school/university-of-arkansas/admissions/) 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,](/school/university-of-central-oklahoma/cost/) [University of Central Oklahoma](/school/university-of-central-oklahoma/majors/) 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](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) reports [median earnings of $66,732](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) 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%](/school/george-mason-university/admissions/), [George Mason University](/school/george-mason-university/majors/) 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](/school/west-virginia-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $15,634](/school/west-virginia-university/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/)'s borrowers who completed coincides with [median earnings of $63,965](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) 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](/school/xavier-university-of-louisiana/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,204](/school/xavier-university-of-louisiana/outcomes/) 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](/school/georgia-college-state-university/majors/) ranks 19th on this list, with [median earnings of $62,386](/school/georgia-college-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $61,698](/school/western-carolina-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/kennesaw-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $61,665](/school/kennesaw-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) [admits 27% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/outcomes/) in federal loans at [University of North Carolina Wilmington](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/majors/), 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](/school/mercer-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,401](/school/mercer-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/east-carolina-university/majors/) [admits 89% of applicants](/school/east-carolina-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-kentucky/outcomes/) in federal loans at [University of Kentucky](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/), 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](/school/the-university-of-tampa/majors/) posts an [average net price of $36,211](/school/the-university-of-tampa/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/majors/) reports [median earnings of $58,715](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/outcomes/) 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](/school/florida-gulf-coast-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $8,220](/school/florida-gulf-coast-university/cost/) 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](/school/university-of-louisville/majors/) [admits 79% of applicants](/school/university-of-louisville/admissions/) 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](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) [ranks 40th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/texas-state-university/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) posts an [average net price of $7,870](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/cost/) 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,](/school/university-of-south-florida/cost/) [University of South Florida](/school/university-of-south-florida/majors/) 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](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,124](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/outcomes/) 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](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/majors/) [admits 86% of applicants](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Oklahoma State University-Main Campus](/school/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus/majors/), 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](/school/university-of-houston-downtown/majors/) [ranks 73rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-houston-downtown/) 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](/school/murray-state-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $9,096](/school/murray-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,588](/school/the-university-of-alabama/outcomes/) 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](/school/eastern-kentucky-university/majors/) [admits 78% of applicants](/school/eastern-kentucky-university/admissions/), 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](/school/sam-houston-state-university/majors/)'s borrowers who completed coincides with [median earnings of $50,970](/school/sam-houston-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/georgia-southern-university/majors/) [ranks 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/georgia-southern-university/) 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](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $16,836](/school/appalachian-state-university/cost/) 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](/school/liberty-university/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Liberty University](/school/liberty-university/majors/), 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](/school/georgia-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $48,896](/school/georgia-state-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/coastal-carolina-university/majors/) left with a [median of $23,750](/school/coastal-carolina-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/northeastern-state-university/majors/) [admits 100% of applicants](/school/northeastern-state-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/majors/) ranks 53rd on this list, with [median earnings of $47,419](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/outcomes/) 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,](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/cost/) [Middle Tennessee State University](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/majors/) 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](/school/southeastern-louisiana-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $45,401](/school/southeastern-louisiana-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/majors/) [ranks 39th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/) 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](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/majors/) reports [median earnings of $44,398](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/outcomes/) 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](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) left with a [median of $22,095](/school/western-kentucky-university/outcomes/) 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](/school/university-of-the-incarnate-word/majors/) [admits 98% of applicants](/school/university-of-the-incarnate-word/admissions/) 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](/school/georgetown-university/majors/) has an [admission rate of 13%](/school/georgetown-university/admissions/) 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](/school/university-of-north-texas/majors/) [admits 72% of applicants](/school/university-of-north-texas/admissions/) 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](/rankings/best-public-health-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Public Health Programs in the Midwest](/rankings/best-public-health-programs-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Public Health Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-public-health-programs-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Public Health Programs in the West](/rankings/best-public-health-programs-in-the-west/)
-   [Best Health Professions Colleges in the South](/rankings/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
-   Physical Therapy Colleges in the South
-   Speech-Language Pathology Colleges in the South for Social Mobility