42 Best Colleges for Public Health – 2024
May 2, 2024
![public health colleges best](jpg/public-health-best.jpg)
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly brought the importance of public health to the forefront of the American consciousness. While years have passed since the height of the pandemic, there is still an increased interest in public health careers in the areas of chronic diseases, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and environmental health. Many bachelor recipients will go on to graduate or professional schools (the MPH is a popular choice), while others begin working after graduation as research assistants, health communication specialists, or as program assistants at a public health organization. There are truly a multitude of options. As College Transitions’ list of the Best Colleges for Public Health reveals, many of the top programs in this area can be found as part of large research universities. These institutions are often attached to hospital systems which can pave the way to hands-on opportunities for undergrads in the form of internships and practicums.
Methodology
Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Public Health.
Best Colleges for Public Health
Here’s a quick preview of the first ten public health institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.
1) Johns Hopkins University
2) Duke University
3) Northwestern University
4) Brown University
5) University of Southern California
6) University of Pennsylvania
7) Cornell University
8) Georgetown University
9) Tufts University
10) New York University
All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the area of public health and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best public health colleges, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—the university’s:
We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:
- Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
- Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.
![Johns Hopkins University](jpg/jhu-logo.jpg)
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.
Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.
- Enrollment: 6,044
- Cost of Attendance: $86,065
- Median SAT: 1540
- Median ACT: 35
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
![Duke University](jpg/duke-logo.jpg)
Duke University
- Durham, NC
Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).
Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.
- Enrollment: 6,640
- Cost of Attendance: $85,238
- SAT Range: 1490-1570
- ACT Range: 34-35
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
![Northwestern University](png/nu-seal.png)
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
Academic Highlights: Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.
- Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $91,290
- Median SAT: 1530
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
![Brown University](jpg/brown-logo.jpg)
Brown University
- Providence, RI
Academic Highlights: Students must choose one of 80+ “concentration programs,” but there are no required courses. Class sizes tend to be small—68% have fewer than twenty students—and 35% are comprised of nine or fewer students. Biology, economics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering are among the most popular areas of concentration at Brown; however, it is hard to distinguish any one program, because Brown possesses outstanding offerings across so many disciplines.
Professional Outcomes: Soon after receiving their Brown diplomas, 69% of graduates enter the world of employment. Companies employing the greatest number of Brown alums include Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company. The Class of 2022 saw 27% of graduates go directly into graduate/professional school. Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school.
- Enrollment: 7,639
- Cost of Attendance: $84,828
- Median SAT: 1530
- Median ACT: 35
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Retention Rate: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![University of Southern California](png/primarymonogram.png)
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
Academic Highlights: There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.
Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.
- Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $90,921
- Median SAT: 1510
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
![University of Pennsylvania](png/logos_215062.png)
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
Academic Highlights: 90 distinct degrees are available across four schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Engineering, the College of Nursing, and the world-renowned Wharton School. The greatest number of students pursue degrees in business (19%), social sciences (14%), biology (11%), health sciences (9%), engineering (9%), and computer science (9%). The university boasts an exceptional 26% of courses with an enrollment under ten and 59% with an enrollment under twenty as well as multiple ways for undergrads to conduct research.
Professional Outcomes: 75% of Class of 2022 grads were employed within six months of graduating, and 18% were in graduate school. Finance attracted the highest percentage of grads (30%) followed by consulting (20%), technology (15%), and healthcare (10%). Employers hiring the greatest number of 2022 grads included JPMorgan, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Company, Meta, and Goldman Sachs. The median starting salary for all graduates is $80,000. For those continuing their educational journeys, the most popular move is to remain at Penn, followed by Columbia and Harvard.
- Enrollment: 9,760 (undergraduate); 13,614 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $89,028
- Median SAT: 1540
- Median ACT: 35
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![Cornell University](png/cornell.png)
Cornell University
- Ithaca, NY
Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.
Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.
- Enrollment: 15,735
- Cost of Attendance: $88,150
- Median SAT: 1520
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
![Georgetown University](png/georgetown_hoyas_logo.png)
Georgetown University
- Washington, D.C.
Academic Highlights: The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. While some classes are a bit larger, only 7% cross the 50-student threshold. Those desiring to join the world of politics or diplomacy are in the right place. The Government and International Affairs programs are among the best in the country. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (38%) followed by business (20%), interdisciplinary studies (8%), and biology (7%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of members of the Class of 2022 entered the workforce, 19% went directly into a graduate or professional program of study, and 3% were still seeking employment. The Class of 2022 sent massive numbers of graduates to a number of major corporations including JPMorgan Chase (22), Citi (21), BOA (18), Morgan Stanley (16), and EY (10). Those attending grad school stay at Georgetown or flock to other elite schools like Columbia and Harvard.
- Enrollment: 7,900
- Cost of Attendance: $85,000
- Median SAT: 1500
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
![Tufts University](jpg/tufts-int-e1708364933962.jpg)
Tufts University
- Medford, MA
Academic Highlights: Three schools serve Tufts’ undergraduate population: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. The three schools combined offer more than 90 majors and minors; approximately one-third of all students double major, and half declare a minor. 15% of all courses see fewer than ten students enrolled, and 60% have sub-twenty enrollments. The most popular majors include international relations, economics, computer science, political science, and biology—all of which receive very high marks.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after earning their diplomas, 97% of 2022 graduates were employed or attending graduate school. The most commonly entered fields were finance, consulting, real estate (23%); engineering and technology (22%); health, life sciences, environmental (21%); and education, advocacy, social services (11%). Prolific employers of Tufts alums include Booz Allen Hamilton, JPMorgan, MITRE, Google, Deloitte, Amazon, Raytheon, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who went directly to graduate school, 85% were accepted into their first-choice institution.
- Enrollment: 6,815 (undergraduate); 6,616 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $88,300
- Median SAT: 1500
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
![New York University](png/logos_193900.png)
New York University
- New York, NY
Academic Highlights: NYU is divided into a number of smaller (but still quite large) colleges organized by discipline; in sum, there are 230 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools and colleges. For its size, a commendable 58% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. While all schools within NYU have solid reputations, Stern holds the distinction as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. For those entering film, dance, drama, or other performing arts, Tisch is as prestigious a place as you can find to study.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, with 78% employed and 21% in graduate school. The top industries for employment were healthcare (11%), internet and software (9%), finance (8%), and entertainment (8%). Large numbers of alumni can be found at Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Amazon. The mean starting salary is $75,336. In 2022, business, arts and sciences, and law school were the most popular grad school destinations.
- Enrollment: 29,401 (undergraduate); 29,711 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $90,222-$96,172
- Median SAT: 1520
- Median ACT: 34
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
![University of Michigan](png/logos_170976.png)
University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor, MI
Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon. Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.
- Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1470
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
![University of California, Berkeley](png/logos_110635.png)
University of California, Berkeley
- Berkeley, CA
Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.
Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
- Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: Test Blind
- Median ACT: Test Blind
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
![University of Maryland, College Park](png/university-of-maryland-logo-e1707449124975.png)
University of Maryland, College Park
- College Park, MD
Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can select from 100+ majors across twelve colleges. 18% of degrees are conferred in computer science, followed by the social sciences (13%), with criminology, government and politics, and economics being the most popular majors. Engineering (13%), business (11%), and biology (8%) are next in line. The School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the College of Journalism are all top-ranked, as are programs in computer science and criminology. 46% of sections enroll fewer than twenty students.
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 96% of Class of 2022 grads had positive outcomes. 67% found employment; the companies/organizations that hired the greatest number of grads included Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, Amazon, and EY. Meta, Apple, and Google employ more than 200 alumni each. The mid-50% salary range for 2022 grads was $55k-$83k. 21% of the Class of 2022 headed directly to graduate and professional school; 11% entered doctoral programs, 5% entered medical school, and 5% entered law school.
- Enrollment: 30,353 (undergraduate); 10,439 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $31,540 (in-state); $60,918 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![University of California, Irvine](png/uci_primarylogo_webblue.png)
University of California, Irvine
- Irvine, CA
Academic Highlights: UCI offers eighty undergrad programs as well as many opportunities for personal connection; 56% of all sections enroll 19 or fewer students and over 60% of students conduct a research project. The most commonly conferred degrees are the social sciences (16%), business (12%), psychology (11%), and biology (9%). The Samueli School of Engineering has a solid reputation as does the Bren School, the only independent computer science school in the UC system. Programs in public health and biological sciences earn very high marks.
Professional Outcomes: Accounting, aerospace, internet and software, K-12 education, real estate, and retail are among the industries attracting the greatest number of Anteaters. Companies employing large numbers of recent grads include Boeing, the Walt Disney Company, Google, EY, and Microsoft. Hundreds of alumni are also found at Kaiser Permanente, Meta, Apple, Edwards Lifesciences, and Deloitte. The median salary is $69,000, with CS grads earning close to $120k right off the bat. UCI has a very strong reputation for premed.
- Enrollment: 28,661 (undergraduate); 7,275 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $40,202 (in-state); $72,776 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: Test Blind
- Median ACT: Test Blind
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
![George Washington University](png/gw.png)
George Washington University
- Washington, D.C.
Academic Highlights: GW undergraduates choose from 75+ majors spread across nine colleges. The school’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to a mix of small, medium, and large undergraduate sections. Twelve percent of courses have single-digit enrollments, 10% have over 50 students, and the majority fall in the 10 to 29 range. The social sciences (31%) are the area in which the greatest number of degrees are awarded followed by health professions (17%), business (15%), biology (5%), and computer science (5%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving GW, 96% of the Class of 2022 had found their way to gainful employment or graduate school while 4% were still job hunting. Of the 68% of grads already in the workplace, 68% were in a for-profit industry, 25% had entered a nonprofit position, and 8% were working in government. A healthy 27% of those earning their diplomas in 2022 immediately turned their attention to earning an advanced degree. Among that group were 76% seeking master’s degrees, 11% entering law school, 5% pursuing a medical degree, and 3% entering a doctoral program.
- Enrollment: 11,482
- Cost of Attendance: $85,740
- Median SAT: 1410
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![The University of Texas at Austin](png/logos_228778.png)
The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, TX
Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 150 majors, including those at the Cockrell School of Engineering, one of the most heralded undergraduate engineering schools around, and The McCombs School of Business, which dominates in the specialty areas of accounting and marketing. The computer science department is also top-ranked. In terms of degrees conferred, engineering is tied with biology (12%) followed by communication (11%), business (11%), and the social sciences (8%). The elite Plan II Honors Program is one of the best in the country.
Professional Outcomes: Within the College of Liberal Arts, six months after graduating, 68% of Longhorns are employed and 24% have entered graduate school. The for-profit sector attracts 65% of those employed while 19% enter public sector employment and 16% pursue jobs at a nonprofit. Major corporations that employ more than 500 UT Austin grads include Google, Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Engineering majors took home a median income of $79k and business majors took home $70k.
- Enrollment: 41,309 (undergraduate); 11,075 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $30,752-$34,174 (in-state); $61,180-$69,310 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1430
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![University of California, San Diego](png/ucsd.png)
University of California, San Diego
- San Diego, CA
Academic Highlights: There are 140+ undergraduate majors offered at UCSD, and all students join one of eight undergraduate colleges meant to forge flourishing communities within the larger university. Biology has the highest representation of all majors (19%) followed by engineering (12%), the social sciences (11%), and computer science (9%). UCSD’s computer science and engineering programs have stellar reputations in the corporate and tech communities, and programs in biology, economics, and political science are among the best anywhere.
Professional Outcomes: Employers of recent graduates included the Walt Disney Company, Tesla, NBC Universal, PwC, Northrop Grumman, and EY. More than 1,000 current Google employees are UC San Diego alumni, and Qualcomm, Amazon, and Apple all employ 500+ each. The median early career salary is $65,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country. UCSD also fares well in measures of its return-on-investment potential.
- Enrollment: 33,096 (undergraduate); 8,386 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $31,830 (in-state); $64,404 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: Test Blind
- Median ACT: Test Blind
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![University of Washington – Seattle](png/uw-logo-512-e1707143530220.png)
University of Washington – Seattle
- Seattle, WA
Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).
Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.
- Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1420
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![American University](jpg/american_university_logo.jpg)
American University
- Washington, D.C.
Academic Highlights: There are 60+ undergraduate degrees for students to choose from at AU across six colleges. A low 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows 58% of offered courses to be capped at nineteen students; the average undergraduate class size is 23. American’s School of International Service (SIS) is one of the top-ranked programs in the country—its Public Affairs program also receives universally high marks. In terms of sheer popularity, the most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (35%), 17% (business), and journalism (11%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 90% of AU grads have found employment, are enrolled in grad school, or both. Across all graduating years, more than 100 alumni presently work for the US House of Representatives, the US Department of State, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, EY, IBM, PwC, and Accenture. Many of the most popular grad school destinations are only a Metro stop away. George Washington, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and American itself head the list.
- Enrollment: 7,917
- Cost of Attendance: $76,176
- Median SAT: 1360
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
![University of Georgia](png/uga_logo_vertical_fc_marcm-768x611-1-e1707512025219.png)
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
Academic Highlights: UGA boasts seventeen distinct colleges and schools that offer 125+ majors. Business is the most commonly conferred undergrad degree, accounting for 29% of diplomas earned. It is followed by biology (10%), social sciences (8%), communication & journalism (8%), and psychology (7%). Top-ranked programs include animal science, business, communications, and public and international affairs. 49% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and no matter your major, UGA encourages you to conduct research with a member of the school’s faculty.
Professional Outcomes: 96% of the Class of 2022 was employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. Popular employers include Accenture, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Walt Disney Company, and Deloitte. Salaries vary between colleges; engineering grads had a median starting salary of $65k while journalism and communication grads reported a $50k median. In 2022, 24% of graduates enrolled directly into a graduate/professional degree program, with the most commonly attended schools including Columbia, Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech, Penn, and UVA.
- Enrollment: 30,714 (undergraduate); 9,893 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $28,142 (in-state); $48,538 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1310
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![Rutgers University — New Brunswick](jpg/rutgers-logo-e1708987671446.jpg)
Rutgers University — New Brunswick
- New Brunswick, NJ
Academic Highlights: Rutgers is divided into 17 schools and colleges, collectively offering 100+ undergraduate majors. 41% of class sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in business (20%), computer science (12%), engineering (10%), health professions (10%), biology (9%), and social sciences (7%). Rutgers Business School sends many majors to top Wall Street investment banks, and programs in computer science, public health, and criminal justice have a terrific national reputation.
Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 82% of Class of 2022 grads had secured a first job or were heading to an advanced degree program. 67% headed directly to the world of employment, where the companies hiring the largest number of grads included Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, and JP Morgan Chase. Investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Citi also employ hundreds of alumni, as do companies like Verizon, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, and Google. The median starting salary across all majors was $70,000.
- Enrollment: 36,344 (undergraduate); 14,293 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $37,849 (in-state); $57,138 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1370
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](png/logos_145637.png)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign-Urbana, IL
Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. There are 150 academic programs offered, including those at the acclaimed Grainger College of Engineering and Gies College of Business. In sheer volume of degrees conferred, engineering and business/marketing are tied at 19%, followed by the social sciences (9%) and psychology (6%). 39% of sections are capped at 19 students. 29% of undergraduates work with a faculty member on a research project; another 22% have some type of fieldwork, practicum, or clinical experience.
Professional Outcomes: 95% of the members of the Class of 2022 landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 38% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 57% were employed full-time; the most popular sectors were finance, consulting, healthcare, electronics, and education. Corporations landing the most recent Illini grads were KPMG, Deloitte, Epic Systems, EY, PwC, and Amazon. The average salary across all Class of 2022 majors was an extremely solid $75,000.
- Enrollment: 35,120 (undergraduate); 21,796 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $35,926-$41,190 (in-state); $55,386-$63,290 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1440
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![University of Rochester](png/rochester.png)
University of Rochester
- Rochester, NY
Academic Highlights: U of R’s 160 undergraduate programs offer a rigorous yet flexible educational experience at a small liberal arts college within a renowned research institution. 66% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and an impressive 77% of students are involved in undergraduate research. The Eastman School of Music is one of the best music conservatories in the United States, and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences is a top 50 institution. Other strong majors include mathematics, economics, and political science.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after receiving their diplomas, 97% of Class of 2022 grads had achieved positive outcomes with 57% employed and a notably high 38% already pursuing an advanced degree. Popular industries included internet and software (14%), healthcare (14%), and investment banking (6%). Top employers of 2022 grads included Google, Goldman Sachs, Epic Systems, and Deloitte. The average starting salary for the most recent cohort of grads was an impressive $82,325; that figure was over $105k for graduates of the Hajim School of Engineering.
- Enrollment: 6,767 (undergraduate); 5,430 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $85,858
- Median SAT: 1460
- Median ACT: 33
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
![University of Florida](png/logos_134130.png)
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. The Warrington College of Business and the Wertheim College of Engineering are highly respected, so it’s no surprise that those two programs confer the greatest percentage of degrees—12% and 14%, respectively. Biology (11%), the social sciences (11%), and health professions (8%) are next in popularity. 53% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 33% of students partake in an undergraduate research experience.
Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 66% of the Class of 2022 had already procured a first job. The top occupational areas were engineering (13%), health care (13%), computer science (5%), and marketing (4%). 200+ Gator alumni can be found at top corporations like Google, EY, Raymond James, Deloitte, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and PwC. The average salary for all 2022 grads was $69k, with a high of $100k for computer science majors. Of those pursuing advanced degrees, a master’s degree was the most popular pursuit (63%) followed by law school (11%).
- Enrollment: 34,552 (undergraduate); 20,659 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $23,530 (in-state); $45,808 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
![University of Massachusetts Amherst](png/umass-amherst.png)
University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Amherst, MA
Academic Highlights: 110 majors are offered across eight undergraduate colleges, including the highly ranked Isenberg School of Management. Programs in sports management, architecture, computer science, and nursing are top-rated. Of all degrees conferred in 2022, business/marketing diplomas accounted for 14%, followed by biology (11%), social sciences (10%), psychology (8%), health professions (7%), engineering (7%), and computer science (7%). 47% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 30% engage in undergraduate research.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 65% of newly minted 2022 grads were employed full-time and 26% were attending graduate school part-time. The most populated industries are health/medical professions (13%), internet & software (10%), biotech & life sciences (4%), and higher education (4%). Companies presently employing 100+ Minutemen and Minutewomen include Oracle, Mass Mutual, Amazon, IBM, Google, Intel, Microsoft, PwC, Wayfair, and Apple. Boston is the most popular landing spot for graduates.
- Enrollment: 23,936 (undergraduate); 7,874 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $37,219 (in-state); $59,896 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1380
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
![University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](png/centered_logo-e1707403543174.png)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from 74 bachelor’s degree programs in a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts & Sciences. 44% of classes have a student enrollment under 20. The social sciences (15%), biology (12%), media/journalism (9%), computer science (8%), and business (6%) are the areas in which the most degrees are conferred. The Kenan-Flager Business School is internationally renowned and requires separate admission. Other strong programs include those in chemistry, journalism, psychology, and political science.
Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Chapel Hill, 97% of 2022 grads had entered employment, military service, or graduate school. Among the for-profit companies that hire the most graduates are Wells Fargo, IBM, Cisco, Deloitte, EY, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. In the nonprofit sector, a large number of alumni are employed by AmeriCorps, NIH, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps. The average starting salary is $70,619. 18% of 2022 grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school.
- Enrollment: 20,210 (undergraduate); 11,739 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $27,036 (in-state); $60,040 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1450
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
![Franklin & Marshall College](png/logos_212577.png)
Franklin & Marshall College
- Lancaster, PA
Academic Highlights: Franklin & Marshall’s student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and 58% of classes have fewer than 20 students enrolled; 40% are in the 20-49 range. The average classroom contains 18 students. The greatest number of degrees conferred at the college are in the social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, biology, and business. Programs in public health and environmental science receive high marks, as does F&M’s interdisciplinary major in Business, Organizations and Society (BOS).
Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduation, 95% of 2022 F&M grads are either employed or continuing their educational journey. The most frequently pursued industries are finance (18%), education (9%), research (9%), and healthcare (8%). Over a three-year period, 91% of students with at least a 3.4 GPA and a strong MCAT score were accepted into medical school. That includes admission into schools of medicine at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Penn, and Georgetown. Those seeking a legal education head to universities such as Harvard, William & Mary, NYU, Yale, and UC Berkeley.
- Enrollment: 1,990
- Cost of Attendance: $87,367
- Median SAT: 1350
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 36%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
![Lehigh University](jpg/lehigh-logo.jpg)
Lehigh University
- Bethlehem, PA
Academic Highlights: Lehigh has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, but classes aren’t as tiny as one might expect with such favorable staffing numbers. The average class size is 26 but, on the plus side, 45% of courses have enrollments of 19 or fewer. Undergraduate research is commonplace. With a highly ranked engineering school, it’s easy to view Lehigh as primarily a techie haven. Surprisingly, the majority of students pursue other programs, with Lehigh’s well-regarded business school drawing the most majors (29%); 22% graduate with a degree in engineering and 12% study CS.
Professional Outcomes: Recent grads quickly found its way toward the next productive step in their lives with 97% landing jobs or grad school placements within six months of leaving Lehigh. Among graduates of the School of Business and Economics, the top industries entered were financial services, accounting, consulting, and computer software. The average starting salary for a recent grad is $67,000. Among recent diploma-earners heading straight to graduate school, roughly 30% were studying engineering, one-quarter were pursuing business degrees, 10% were training for health professions.
- Enrollment: 5,624
- Cost of Attendance: $72,000
- Median SAT: 1410
- Median ACT: 32
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
![Santa Clara University](png/logos_122931.png)
Santa Clara University
- Santa Clara, CA
Academic Highlights: Students can pursue 50 degrees offered by three undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the highly respected School of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business, which offers top-rated management information systems, accounting, and entrepreneurship degree programs. 44% of course sections contain fewer than 20 students, and undergraduate research is built into many academic programs. The most commonly conferred degrees are in business (31%), engineering (15%), and the social sciences (13%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of receiving their degrees, 91% of Broncos have landed jobs, started graduate school, or committed to a full-time service program. Of those employed, the most commonly entered industries are business development, engineering, education, entrepreneurship, and sales. The companies presently employing the greatest number of alumni are all tech giants including Cisco, Apple, Google, Oracle, Meta, and Adobe. The median starting salary is $67,000 with engineering majors enjoying the highest compensation ($83k).
- Enrollment: 6,115 (undergraduate); 3,063 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $82,125
- Median SAT: 1390
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
![University of South Carolina](png/bmloayzyrrcr3daorn6y3cqdla-e1707237524905.png)
University of South Carolina
- Columbia, SC
Academic Highlights: UofSC is a massive enterprise, with 16 colleges/schools within the larger university. Even so, 70% of all sections contain 29 or fewer students. 32% of students take the opportunity to earn a degree in the business/marketing realm from the superb Darla Moore School of Business. The international business program is also top-ranked. Other popular disciplines include health services (11%), biology (10%), engineering (6%), and communication and journalism (6%). The South Carolina Honors College is extremely hard to get into and is one of the finest in the entire country.
Professional Outcomes: 79% of recent grads landed at their next destination within six months with an average starting salary of over $55,000. Within the School of Business, 87% of 2023 grads were employed within three months and the average starting salary was $69k. Top employers of recent classes included KPMG, IBM, Aramark, Bank of America, Vanguard, PwC, and Marriot. The majority of those continuing their studies in a graduate/professional degree program did so at the University of South Carolina; other popular landing spots are Duke and Wake Forest.
- Enrollment: 27,343 (undergraduate); 8,310 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $38,696 (in-state); $60,942 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
![Texas A&M University — College Station](jpg/61wi-w9wnyl-e1708625960147.jpg)
Texas A&M University — College Station
- College Station, TX
Academic Highlights: With nineteen schools and colleges and 130+ undergraduate degree programs, Texas A&M is a massive operation. As the name implies, there is a heavy emphasis on agriculture, engineering, and business, which all place well in national rankings and garner deep respect from major corporations and graduate/professional schools. Class sizes trend large, but 24% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students and personal connections with professors are entirely possible, particularly through the research-oriented LAUNCH program.
Professional Outcomes: On graduation day, 54% of students had already received at least one job offer and 22% were heading to graduate/professional school. Many Aggies go on to work at major oil, tech, and consulting firms; more than 500 are employed at each of ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, EY, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, and PWC. Starting salaries were strong—on average, College of Engineering grads made $80k and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences grads netted $54k. A&M is also the eighth-largest producer of law students in the entire country.
- Enrollment: 57,512 (undergraduate); 16,502 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $31,058 (in-state); $59,336 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1270
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
![University of Delaware](png/udel1.png)
University of Delaware
- Newark, DE
Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers 150 bachelor’s degree programs. Nearly one-third of students pursue a degree in either business (21%) or engineering (9%), two of the school’s highest-ranked departments. Nursing is popular, with 11% of degrees conferred being in the health professions. Other frequently pursued majors include the social sciences (10%), biology (7%), and education (5%). 62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students. The university also has the oldest study abroad program in the nation, with 30% of undergrads participating.
Professional Outcomes: 94% of Class of 2022 grads quickly found their next destination. 66% were employed, with 74% taking jobs at for-profit companies, 16% at nonprofits, 7% in K-12 education, and 4% with a government entity. The greatest number of newly minted alums were hired by JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, EY, ChristianaCare, and Deloitte. The median starting salary for this cohort was $62,000. 28% immediately pursued an advanced degree, with 62% entering master’s programs, 20% entering a professional program, and 9% beginning a PhD.
- Enrollment: 18,066 (undergraduate); 4,557 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $33,718 (undergraduate); $57,358 (graduate)
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
![Indiana University](png/logos_151351.png)
Indiana University
- Bloomington, IL
Academic Highlights: IU offers 200+ majors. The university’s 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio is not bad for a school of Indiana’s size, and it does make an effort to keep undergraduate classes on the small side. While there are a number of introductory courses that transpire in giant lecture halls, 37% of all sections contain no more than 19 students. Business/marketing is the most popular major accounting for 30% of the total degrees conferred and biology is second at 9%. IU’s computer science degree program is the school’s third most frequently conferred degree at 8%.
Professional Outcomes: Class of 2022 grads reached their next employment or graduate school destination at a 94% rate within six months of receiving their degrees. The median starting salary for A&S grads was $41,000. In the Kelley School of Business, 97% were placed successfully within six months, and the median starting salary was $67,000. Among the most frequently attended graduate schools by recent grads are Indiana Bloomington (including its own law and medical schools), Purdue, Loyola Chicago, Northwestern, and Columbia.
- Enrollment: 35,660
- Cost of Attendance: $25,170 (In-State); $53,860 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
![George Mason University](jpg/george-mason-logo.jpg)
George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
Academic Highlights: Fifty-two percent of class sections at GMU enroll nineteen or fewer students, 13% have fifty or more students, and the remaining sections lie in between. The most popular program is business (20%) and is followed by computer and information sciences (13%), the social sciences (8%), health professions (8%), and homeland security (8%). The Volgenau College of Engineering, which houses a top-tier Information Technology Department, and the School of Business are both extremely reputable in the eyes of prospective employers
Professional Outcomes: Six months after receiving their degrees, 87% of the class of 2022 had accepted a job offer or started work in a graduate program. GMU grads flow into major consulting firms like Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Accenture, financial institutions like Capital One and Freddie Mac, and engineering/tech firms like General Dynamics, IBM, and Microsoft. Mason graduates tend to pursue advanced degrees either at Mason itself or at other area schools including George Washington, American University, or the University of Maryland.
- Enrollment: 27,014
- Cost of Attendance: $28,963 (In-State); $53,127 (Out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
![Florida State University](jpg/fsu-logo.jpg)
Florida State University
- Tallahassee, FL
Academic Highlights: A wide range of baccalaureate degrees—103 to be precise—are available at FSU. The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Twenty-three percent of degrees conferred fall under the business umbrella. The social sciences (15%), psychology (8%), biology (8%), and homeland security (6%) are next in popularity.
Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. The top five sectors employing 2022 grads are (in order) finance, technology, marketing, health, and engineering. Roughly one-third of 2022 Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 75% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. A typical graduating class sees over 100 students accepted into medical schools and over 200 accepted into law schools.
- Enrollment: 32,936
- Cost of Attendance: $25,762 (In-State); $39,692 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
![Agnes Scott College](jpg/agnes-scott-logo-1.jpg)
Agnes Scott College
- Decatur, GA
Academic Highlights: The greatest number of degrees conferred were in the social sciences (19%), biology (14%), psychology (13%), health professions (9%), English (8%), and business (8%). Agnes Scott has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio that results in 75% of courses enrolling 19 or fewer undergrads; the average class size is 18 students. There are 34 majors to choose from. The hands-on opportunities for learning are exceptional with 52% of graduates completing a research mentorship or creative project and 46% studying abroad.
Professional Outcomes: 87% of job-seekers quickly found their first employment opportunity. Exiting seniors were hired by Amazon, AT&T, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Deloitte, and E&J Gallo Winery. Of the 17% of the Class of 2022 who applied to graduate and professional school, 100% of applicants obtained at least one acceptance.
- Enrollment: 1,006
- Cost of Attendance: $61,775
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
![University of Arizona](jpg/university-of-arizona-logo-e1708017670952.jpg)
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
Academic Highlights: UArizona undergrads can choose from over 150 majors, and business/marketing (15%) is the most popular choice with more degrees conferred than any other discipline. Other common pursuits include biology (9%), health professions (9%), and engineering (7%). Majors within business, engineering, and the geosciences all have excellent national reputations. A 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to a mix of class sizes with 33% of classes having an enrollment of under 20 and only 15% possessing 50 or more students.
Professional Outcomes: In recent years, some of the top employers hiring Arizona grads have been Raytheon, Vanguard, PepsiCo, Amazon, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Nordstrom, and Texas Instruments, and an astonishing 92% of employers rate Wildcats as coming to their first job with the skills needed to succeed. Recent College of Management grads enjoy a starting salary in excess of $60k, while College of Engineering grads have an average starting salary of $74,000. Many who go on to pursue advanced degrees ultimately do so at UArizona itself.
- Enrollment: 40,407 (undergraduate); 10,727 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $35,496 (in-state); $62,896 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1240
- Median ACT: 25
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
![University of South Florida](webp/university-of-south-florida.webp)
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
Academic Highlights: USF has an astounding 200 undergraduate majors and concentration areas available and despite a fairly high 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is able to enroll fewer than 20 students in 42% of their course sections. The most popular major is health professions (19%) followed by business (17%), biology (13%), the social sciences (11%), and psychology (8%). An increasingly competitive university, USF’s nursing and psychology programs are top notch and the business, engineering, and computer science majors are great values.
Professional Outcomes: Employers that gobble up significant numbers of University of South Florida alumni include Citi, Moffitt Cancer Center, BayCare Health System, Tampa General Hospital, Raymond James, Centene Corporation, Deloitte, Microsoft, AWS, and Kforce. Therefore it’s little surprise that a study by the Florida Board of Governors revealed that USF is a highly-rated contributor to the local economy, represents excellent value, and facilitates social mobility.
- Enrollment: 38,046
- Cost of Attendance: $20,005 (In-State); $30,919 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
![The College of New Jersey](jpg/tcnj-logo.jpg)
The College of New Jersey
- Ewing, NJ
Academic Highlights: As one of only eight public colleges in the country to maintain a four-year graduation rate above 75%, TCNJ is in the esteemed company of such institutions as UVA, Michigan, and UNC-Chapel Hill. TCNJ sports a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of twenty-one; 42% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. Sixteen percent of degrees conferred are in education as many attend TCNJ to become teachers but the most popular degree is actually business/marketing (19%), followed by engineering (9%), and health programs (8%).
Professional Outcomes: Checking in with TCNJ grads one year after receiving their degrees, 93% had entered the working world or started an advanced degree. The list of companies employing significant numbers of recent alumni includes Johnson and Johnson, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, Bloomberg LP, MetLife, EY, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The most frequently attended graduate schools by recent grads included Rutgers, Georgetown, and Stevens Institute of Technology.
- Enrollment: 7,039
- Cost of Attendance: $34,86 (In-State); $40,710 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
![The Ohio State University — Columbus](jpg/the_ohio_state_university_logo-e1709247372322.jpg)
The Ohio State University — Columbus
- Columbus, OH
Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.
Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school. Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.
- Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1340-1450
- Median ACT: 29-32
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
![Brigham Young University](jpg/byu-logo.jpg)
Brigham Young University
- Provo, UT
Academic Highlights: Thirteen percent of sections contain more than fifty students. However, those lecture hall courses are balanced with classes of more modest size; 47% of courses have nineteen or fewer students. The areas where the most degrees were conferred in 2022 were business (14%), biology (12%), engineering (8%), health professions (7%), and the social sciences (7%). The programs with the strongest national reputations are those within the Marriott School of Business and, to a slightly lesser extent, the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering.
Professional Outcomes: By a wide margin, the two largest employers of BYU alums are the university itself and the LDS Church. However, there are hundreds of Cougars working at major corporations including Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs. The median salary of a 2022 grad was $62,500. Brigham Young is in the same league with Berkeley, Cornell, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin in terms of producing future PhDs. Over the past decade, more than 3,000 alumni have gone on to earn doctoral degrees.
- Enrollment: 34,401
- Cost of Attendance: $23,052 (in-state); $38,076 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1360
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
![East Carolina University](webp/ecu_lockup_stacked_alt_purple-1-e1710188769665.webp)
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
Academic Highlights: East Carolina offers a diverse array of 175+ degrees across eight undergraduate colleges, which includes the College of Education, where a high percentage of NC educators get their start, the highly regarded College of Fine Arts and Communication, and strong programs in nursing, business, engineering, and coastal/marine research. Nearly 40% of ECU students pursue a STEM program; the most degrees are conferred in health professions (19%), business (18%), engineering (8%), biology (8%), and education (7%).
Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 53% of the Class of 2022 were working full-time while 26% were enrolled in an advanced degree program. Top employers of recent grads included ECU Health, East Carolina University, WakeMed, the US military, UNC Health, Pitt County Schools, and the Duke University Health System. Of those who elected to continue their education, nearly two-thirds did so at East Carolina. Others went on to institutions like Duke, Wake Forest, Appalachian State, UNC Wilmington, and UNC Chapel Hill.
- Enrollment: 21,688 (undergraduate); 5,463 (graduate)
- Cost of Attendance: $25,558 (in-state); $41,835 (out-of-state)
- Median SAT: 1140
- Median ACT: 21
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Public Health to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:
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- SAT Score Calculator
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