The Best Bachelor's In Public Health Programs

A bachelor's in public health prepares you for work in population health, disease prevention, and emergency response, and demand for qualified public health workers keeps climbing. Graduates move into roles like health education specialist and community health worker. Below are strong bachelor's programs with the data that matters, followed by a career overview and how to pick a program.

Bachelor's in Public Health Programs and Schools

The bachelor's in public health program at CUNY Lehman College focuses on solutions built around social justice and anti-racism frameworks. Candidates choose a clinical public health track or an environmental and global health track. The 120-credit program includes 61 credits in the major. Students can complete roughly 50% of the degree online but must do 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. The four-year degree requires 21 mandatory credits in the major plus a capstone, with coursework in 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 lets students choose one of two undergraduate concentrations, including public health and statistics. Brown offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in public health, has no GRE or GPA requirement for admission, and uses the SOPHAS application system. Coursework examines how behavioral, biological, social, and political sciences shape 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 built to prepare students for an advanced degree, with electives chosen around student interests. Entry requires meeting specific criteria by the first fall or spring term. The school uses critical tracking to keep students on a four-year path, and graduation requires passing a capstone exam and earning at least a C in all public health courses.

• 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 concentrations in 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 join an honors practicum for applied experience. 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 bachelor of science. Students choose a concentration in environmental public health, health informatics, or food systems, nutrition, and health.

• 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 social sciences, science, and humanities. Graduates study public health challenges, the determinants of health, and the role of public policy, with internship options spanning climate change, 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 with diverse populations across varied settings and offers an environmental health concentration. Students in the College of Health and Human Services must complete a pre-approved study abroad, and graduates must demonstrate cultural competency and the ability to 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 prerequisites. Students pick one of four concentrations: Community and Public Health, Culture and Society in Health, Physical Activity in Public Health, or Worksite and University Health Promotion.

• 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 jobs and requires at least a C- in all foundation classes. 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

This list has not been updated for 2025.

How Bachelor's in Public Health Programs Work

You can complete a bachelor's in public health online, on campus, or a mix of both. The typical curriculum runs 120-126 credits and combines general education with specialized training in biostatistics, health disparities, epidemiology, public health law, and ethics, plus electives. Some schools offer tracks such as healthcare administration or coursework geared toward a specific credential like the Certified Health Education Specialist Exam. Internships add real-world experience and connect you with employers. Completion time depends on program requirements, enrollment status, and prior credits. Confirm your program is accredited, or your credits may not transfer.

Applying to a Bachelor's in Public Health Program

Start at each program's website for specific application requirements. Degree completion programs admit transfer students with prior credits or prerequisite coursework, and most schools charge an application fee.

• Admission Materials: Application, official school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores (optional for many programs), personal statement, and essay/writing sample.
• GPA Requirement: 2.5-3.0 high school GPA; 2.0-2.7 for transfer credits

Why Accreditation Matters

Every program on this list holds accreditation that signals it meets high academic standards. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting body for undergraduate and graduate public health degrees. Some employers, including government agencies, hire only graduates of CEPH-accredited programs, and many master of public health programs require a CEPH-accredited bachelor's. Review CEPH's list of accredited schools and programs before you enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a bachelor's in public health worth it? Yes, if the work fits your interests. The degree opens high-growth jobs that affect whole communities. Per the BLS, community health worker and health education specialist roles will grow 11% and 4% between 2024-2034, respectively. ZipRecruiter puts the average public health worker salary at $79,657 as of November 2025.

Which public health jobs pay the most? Several pay above average. The highest-earning 10% of epidemiologists and biostatisticians averaged $134,860 and $163,360, respectively. Those roles usually require at least a master's, and a bachelor's is the step toward them.

Is the degree hard? It is rigorous. Expect biology, statistics, sociology, and psychology, plus strong critical-thinking, analytical, and research skills.

Does public health pay well? Yes. As of November 2025, ZipRecruiter estimated the average public health worker salary at $79,657, and experience, education, setting, and location push it higher.