Public Health
Quick Facts: Public Health Training
Where it's offered
Public Health programs are offered at 31 schools across 9 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $31,660/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 11 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Public Health — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 31 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 40/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Public Health Graduates Do
Your work in public health puts you on the front lines of community well-being. As a medical and health services manager, your day could involve coordinating staff schedules in a busy clinic, analyzing budgets to improve patient care, and ensuring your facility complies with complex healthcare laws. Alternatively, you might work as an occupational health and safety specialist, inspecting construction sites with sound level meters and air quality monitors to prevent workplace injuries, or developing safety training programs for factory workers.
Read more
Many careers begin with foundational roles like health education or community outreach, where you’ll gain direct experience. From there, you can advance to become an independent specialist or compliance officer. With proven expertise, you can step into high-demand management positions overseeing entire departments and earning a six-figure income. While AI tools may help analyze health data or streamline compliance reporting, they can’t replace the critical thinking needed to manage a healthcare team or the hands-on expertise required to ensure a workplace is safe.
Closely-related paths include Bioethics, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Mental Health Services, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 11 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Public Health. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Community Health Worker
RAPIDS 2002CB |
Competency | Competency | $50K – $63,000 – $84K | 4.5% |
|
Community Health Worker
RAPIDS 2002HY |
2000-2200 hrs | Hybrid | $50K – $63,000 – $84K | 4.5% |
|
Environmental Analyst
RAPIDS 648 |
7000 hrs
~3.5 yrs |
Time | $62K – $80,060 – $104K | 4.4% |
|
Home Health Director
RAPIDS 1108CB |
Competency | Competency | $89K – $117,960 – $162K | 23.2% |
|
Inspector, Quality Assurance
RAPIDS 992 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Inspector, Quality Assurance (Alternate Title: Quality Management Professional)
RAPIDS 0992CB |
Competency | Competency | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Long Term Care Nurse Management
RAPIDS 1105CL |
Competency | Competency | $89K – $117,960 – $162K | 23.2% |
|
Military Equal Opportunity (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1077CB |
Competency | Competency | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
RAPIDS 2062HY |
3000-4000 hrs | Hybrid | $59K – $78,420 – $105K | 3.0% |
|
Senior Housing Manager
RAPIDS 1109CB |
Competency | Competency | $89K – $117,960 – $162K | 23.2% |
|
Wellness Coach
RAPIDS 2016HY |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Hybrid | $44K – $51,030 – $63K | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Public Health Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Public Health is offered at 31 schools across 9 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Public Health Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Public Health programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 31 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Public Health Programs
Schools where Public Health graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | $41,503/yr | 62 |
| Florida National University-Main Campus | $37,183/yr | 52 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $36,992/yr | 50 |
| American Public University System | $36,794/yr | 55 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Online | $33,828/yr | 50 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Albany | $33,828/yr | 49 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North | $33,828/yr | 49 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo | $33,828/yr | 49 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Parma | $33,828/yr | 49 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | $33,828/yr | 49 |
Best ROI for Public Health
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Public Health.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga College | 233.3x | $29,951/yr | 69 |
| Lemoore College | 174.6x | $30,446/yr | 69 |
| University of Iowa | 36.9x | $41,503/yr | 62 |
| American Public University System | 25.2x | $36,794/yr | 55 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Online | 17.0x | $28,528/yr | 48 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | 14.5x | $28,528/yr | 47 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Albany | 14.1x | $28,528/yr | 47 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo | 13.9x | $28,528/yr | 47 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North | 13.8x | $28,528/yr | 47 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Parma | 13.6x | $28,528/yr | 47 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Public Health degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.