The Best Bachelor’s in Public Health Programs

The bachelor's in public health program at CUNY Lehman College is a competitive program that focuses on solutions using social justice and anti-racism frameworks. Candidates can choose from the clinical public health or environmental and global health track of study. 

The 120-credit program includes 61 credits in the public health major. Students can complete approximately 50% of the degree online but must complete the required public health internship in person.

• Program: Public Health
• Campus: Bronx, NY
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Tuition: $2,865 per semester (in state); $510 per credit (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.7 GPA, 
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $62,040, according to College Scorecard

The public health bachelor of arts program at the University of California-Berkeley emphasizes the interdisciplinary science of disease prevention. It is a four-year degree with 21 mandatory credits in the public health major plus a capstone project. The program focuses on modeling and teaching leadership, anti-racism, and sexual violence prevention.

• Program: Bachelor of Arts Public Health
• Campus: Berkeley, CA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health
• Tuition: $6,573 per semester 
• Admission Requirements: Admission requirements into the major include a GPA of 2.0 or higher in prerequisites, personal and professional volunteer experience, and future leadership potential in public health.
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $81,600, according to College Scorecard

Brown University’s public health program allows students to choose one of two undergraduate concentrations, including public health and statistics. The school offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in public health. It does not have a GRE or GPA requirement for admission and uses the SOPHAS system for applications. Coursework allows students to explore how behavioral, biological, social, and political sciences contribute to the distribution of disease.

• Program: Bachelor in Public Health
• Campus: Providence, Rhode Island
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Tuition: $68,610 per year
• Admission Requirements: Prerequisite classes for the School of Public Health biostatistics degree, resume, statement of purpose, and no GPA requirement
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $70,770, according to College Scorecard

The University of Florida bachelor in public health is designed to prepare students for an advanced degree. Students can choose electives based on their interests. Entrance into the program includes meeting specific criteria by the first fall or spring term.

The school maintains critical tracking criteria to ensure students complete the program within four years. To graduate, students must pass a capstone exam, earn a minimum of C in all public health courses, and complete the school's requirement for the post-baccalaureate degree.

• Program: Bachelor of Public Health
• Campus: Gainesville, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Tuition: $212 per credit (in state); $955 (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: To enter the program, you must have a 3.0 GPA, an associate's degree or 60 transferable credits, and four prerequisite courses. 
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $66,250, according to College Scorecard

The bachelor of science in public health at the University of California-San Diego offers several concentrations, including biostatistics, climate and environmental sciences, community health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management sciences, and medicine sciences.

You do not have to commit to a concentration on admission and can participate in an honors practicum for an intensive, applied experience in public health. Successful completion requires a B or higher.

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Campus: San Diego, California
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Tuition: $695 per credit (out of state); $1,136 per credit (in state) 
• Admission Requirements: Required prerequisites must have a minimum C grade
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $67,100, according to College Scorecard

The Public Health-Global Health major at the University of Washington-Seattle Campus confers a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in public health. Students can choose a concentration in environmental public health, health informatics, or food systems, nutrition, and health. The program focuses on students who demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity.

• Program(s): Public Health - Global Health Major
• Campus: Seattle, WA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
• Tuition: $11,525 per year (in state); $42,105 per year (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: Early admission is for UW students with at least 30 credits and a 3.0 GPA. Upper-division admission is for students who can graduate within two years, have 60 completed credits, and a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $67,780, according to College Scorecard

The public health degree at Franklin & Marshall College blends a focus on social sciences, science, and humanities to keep the population healthy. Graduates learn about public health challenges, multiple determinants of health, and the role of public policy.

Students can network with alumni, complete off-campus studies, and participate in independent research. Internship opportunities include climate change, traveling abroad, workplace health and safety, and health disparities in Africa.

• Program(s):  Bachelor in Public Health
• Campus: Lancaster, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Tuition: $70,566 per year
• Admission Requirements: Admission requirements include an interview, letter of recommendation, standardized testing, and high school transcripts
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

The bachelor of science in public health at San Diego State University prepares students to work in varied settings with diverse populations. The school offers an environmental health concentration for students who want to study STEM through the lens of public health.

Students in the College of Health and Human Services are required to study abroad which must be pre-approved by the college. Graduates must demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity and plan, implement, and assess public health programs.

• Program(s): Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Campus: San Diego, CA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Tuition: $8,728 per year (in state); $12,600 per year (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: A cumulative GPA 2.9 or higher and a strong interest in public health for transfer students and first-year direct admission requires a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and letters of recommendation 
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

The bachelor of science in public health program at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo requires 60 credits in the major after completing prerequisite courses. Students can select one of four concentrations, including Community and Public Health, Culture and Society in Health, Physical Activity in Public Health, Worksite and University Health Promotion.

Graduates can describe health care, policy, and government agencies' role in public health.

• Program(s): Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Campus: San Luis Obispo, CA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) 
• Tuition: $1,914 per quarter (in state); $1,178 per quarter (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: Factors considered include High school weighted GPA of 2.0 or higher, extracurricular activities, work experience, and cognitive and noncognitive variables
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

The bachelor of science in public health program at the University of Texas at Austin prepares students for entry-level job opportunities. Students must fulfill the university and school’s graduation requirements and earn at least a C- in all foundation classes.

Students in the honors program must meet additional requirements. In their sixth semester, students with a 3.4 GPA or higher can apply for an advanced program and master's degree on the Houston campus.

• Program(s): Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Campus: Austin, Texas
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Tuition: $10,858-$13,576 per two semesters (in state); $40,582-$48,712 per two semesters (out of state)  
• Admission Requirements: First-year admission requires math placement scores; minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $67,930, according to College Scorecard