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Public health


What are public health majors?

A public health program generally prepares you to plan, manage and evaluate public health care services; to function as a public health professional in public agencies, the private sector and other settings; and provide leadership in the field of public health. As a public health major, your coursework will typically include epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventive medicine, health policy and regulations, health care services and related administrative functions, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, public communications and professional standards and ethics.

How much do public health majors make?

Public health graduates typically make between $35,000 and $81,000 per year. The national average of reported salaries for public health degrees is $54,000.
Public health majorsAverage salarySalary
General public health$54,000
Community health services and counselingNo data
Environmental healthNo data
Public health educationNo data

Popular public health majors by degrees awarded

On average, around 16,800 students obtain a bachelor's degree or associate degree in all public health fields each year. In 2021, the most popular major within public health was general public health with 14,073 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 335 students obtaining an associate degree. The least popular major was environmental health with 355 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 31 students obtaining an associate degree. Overall, public health is a relatively uncommon area of study.