2023 Best Colleges for Public Health Studies in America

• Baltimore, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,380 reviews

Junior: I came in as a transfer from a community college, and my first semester was quite rough. The transition from community college to a 4-year university was not what I was expecting. The courses were more rigorous, the classes were larger in size and had more students in them, and the campus was bigger than I expected. From classes to social life, I was lost. In my second semester, though, everything started to change. I was more comfortable with the campus and made more friends. Changing from Biology to public health was an excellent decision for me, as I got to explore classes that I was interested in. The research opportunities and connections you can make here are endless, and I think is one of the greatest strengths at Hopkins.... Read 1,380 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $20,680

• SAT range 1470-1560

• Providence, RI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,058 reviews

Niche User: I am currently enrolled as an incoming freshman at Brown University but I have been fortunate to participate in two of their pre-college programs. Overall, the academic resources and opportunities to explore STEM-based passions are incredibly diverse and accessible. The campus has amazing faculty that are engaged in the subject, both in and out of the classroom. They provide insightful feedback and support, especially as I had little experience doing lab work in high school. Outside the classroom, there were countless facilities and events that covered a wide variety of interests. These helped me foster a strong sense of community as I was able to connect with peers of similar likes during these events. I love how interconnected the university is with the larger city of Providence, which makes both professional and recreational engagement more accessible. Lastly, the Brown community was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Everyone there was proactive and engaged!... Read 1,058 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $25,028

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,317 reviews

Freshman: While my experience at Penn has been overwhelmingly positive, there are areas that I believe could be improved. One aspect I would like to see change is a greater emphasis on mental health support and resources. College can be a challenging and stressful time for many students, and it is crucial that the university continues to prioritize the well-being of its students by expanding mental health services and promoting a culture of self-care and balance. Additionally, I would love to see more efforts toward fostering inclusivity and diversity on campus. While Penn is home to a diverse student body, it is essential that the university continues to create an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and supported. This includes initiatives that promote diversity in the curriculum, increase the representation of marginalized voices, and provide resources for cultural understanding and dialogue.... Read 1,317 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $14,578

• SAT range 1480-1570

• Durham, NC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  1,181 reviews

Junior: I think Duke is the perfect balance of academics and leisure. The school spirit is unmatched and something I appreciate. A lot of professors are truly dedicated to their craft and care deeply about the students' and our education. Some professors can be challenging to deal with and not as organized, but there are a lot of resources on campus that are available for students. The food is also amazing compared to other schools, many options.... Read 1,181 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $27,297

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,456 reviews

Freshman: Northwestern University is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation--students are involved in multiple extracurricular activities with more than 30% completing double majors. This serves as the perfect playing field for my passions in both medicine and music, as Northwestern provides me the best opportunity to fulfill both of my interests in one place.... Read 1,456 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $29,999

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Medford, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,050 reviews

Sophomore: Tufts University is a great school and let me tell you why. The amount of financial resources and community resources available for low-income first-generation students is shocking. Although the school's diversity is not as great as it makes it seems on its website they do support the widespread minority racial groups. As a first-generation low-income student, there has not been a moment of experience where I felt unwelcomed or made less due to my ethnic and racial identity. Aside from the resources and the diverse community, the students at Tufts University surprisingly come to this college being who they want to be but as well in a collaborative mindset rather than a competitive one. What does it mean to be who you want to be? That's the best part. Anyone you want to be! If you want to have some strange outfit or follow a certain fashion trend you don't get hate for it (you will be acknowledged for it). A lot of individuals on this campus represent where they come from. Beautiful!... Read 1,050 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $31,630

• SAT range 1440-1550

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,245 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Georgetown University as a Freshman has been phenomenal. The very first month has been the most memorable. Due to how open the community was, I was able to meet new people every single day and also, I was able to find my long-life friends immediately! The community was so diverse that I had never heard a single negative comment. It was purely all just having fun and sharing honest thoughts. Now, throughout the school year, as a Freshman, I went through many obstacles. One of the most common ones is sickness. However, because of the flexibility that the professors had, I was able to succeed in class. Georgetown's flexibility and resources are so great that even though I was sick some days, I still had a smile on my face. Although it's only my first year, I can definitely say that I started off with no regrets.... Read 1,245 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $23,049

• SAT range 1410-1550

• Ann Arbor, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  4,555 reviews

Junior: An amazing school filled with wonderful people (students, faculty, residents). So many opportunities for students to explore different parts of their education and passion. Great location with a downtown that is always busy with different restaurants, shops, bars, studios, and even the cutest weekend farmers market. At this school you will never be bored- there are always people who want to play sports, go out, go to the gym, study together, etc. I have never been happier. It is such a perfect, fun, exciting, fulfilling school to go to. Not a single bad thing to say (besides maybe that the winters are not the most fun but everything else totally makes up for that). If you love Michigan, you really LOVE Michigan! Wolverine forever. Go blue!... Read 4,555 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 20%

• Net price $19,205

• SAT range 1340-1520

• Gainesville, FL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  7,904 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Florida is a great school. There are so many opportunities. There is truly a place for everyone. There are hundreds of clubs, great study abroad opportunities, and I have had so many great teachers in just my freshman year. I do not regret my decision to go to UF. Go gators!... Read 7,904 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 30%

• Net price $9,809

• SAT range 1300-1470

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  3,944 reviews

Senior: The University of Southern California is full of opportunities and activities for students with a wide range of interests. It caters to multiple students and does a great job at making sure everyone feels at home and welcome. I love the diversity of the clubs that are available to join on campus and I also love how the "Trojan Family" lives on in everyone. One thing that I would like to see change is the transparency that is given to students when it comes to the Undergraduate Student Government, especially in terms of funding for organizations. Sometimes the Student government says they have money and the next minute, they are not offering the funding to organizations in need. I think there should be more transparency in this part.... Read 3,944 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $26,021

• SAT range 1410-1540

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,308 reviews

Graduate Student: Columbia's campus is great! As a graduate student, I love seeing the level of diversity within the engineering department and the opportunity to get to learn about everyone's backgrounds! I do wish that classes were taught much better since it seems like professors are just rambling for 2.5 hours and wait for students to blow up Piazza over conceptual and hw questions. I do also wish there was a greater emphasis on publicizing campus activities to graduate students. All in all the student body is incredibly intelligent and hard working!... Read 1,308 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $12,411

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Ithaca, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  2,034 reviews

Junior: I love the classes they are challenging definitely but I learn a lot I know I will use in my future. Also, the clubs, activities, and events are so much fun. It is so nice to be in a place with like minded individuals. I am a key member of the Christian Club and my faith drives me to excellence.... Read 2,034 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,262

• SAT range 1450-1560

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  5,598 reviews

Freshman: I’m a dance major at NYU tisch and although this school is very expensive I’ve been loving the experience I’ve had so far. I can’t speak for other majors but being in the dance department it’s very easy to build community and make friends that will definitely last a life time. I will say one of the major flaws I have noticed with nyu (besides the tuition lol) is communication specifically within the financial department. As someone who genuinely cannot afford this school and is going to be in thousands of dollars in debt, I’ve been trying to reach out and appeal my financial aid in hopes to get more but they never answer any of my questions or respond to previous appeals I have sent. Also the campus is very spread out lol. Other than that, living here in NYC and going to my dream school has been nothing but surreal! My GE classes are super fun and I definitely recommended taking CAMS classes!... Read 5,598 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $50,991

• SAT range 1450-1570

• Irvine, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4,148 reviews

Senior: UCI is a large campus full of diverse people and many experiences. The teachers, more often than not, are adequate at explaining difficult concepts. The campus can be very lively for those who live on-campus or become involved in campus life, but on the other hand it can be very isolating for commuters and people who do not decide to join clubs/greek life. In my experience, the counselors were a lot more helpful and kind than I imagined but it depends highly on your major. Overall, great school but would recommend being involved and not being afraid to reach out to others, be it professor, counselor, or other classmates.... Read 4,148 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 29%

• Net price $11,633

• SAT range 1230-1430

• Austin, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  6,575 reviews

Freshman: I really like UT Austin. The people are very welcoming and I feel comfortable talking to new people and meeting new people. One thing I wish would change is how expensive everything is like tuition, housing, dining, and other simple stuff on campus like groceries and snacks and coffee, etc. I would feel happier knowing that I was also saving some money and not having to be too worried about financial burdens.... Read 6,575 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 29%

• Net price $16,589

• SAT range 1230-1500

• Berkeley, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  4,342 reviews

Sophomore: As a student at UC Berkeley, I have had an incredible experience overall. The university has a strong academic reputation and offers a wide range of courses and majors to choose from. The professors are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, and they often encourage critical thinking and active participation in class. One of the things I like most about UC Berkeley is the vibrant campus community. There are numerous student organizations, clubs, and extracurricular activities available, allowing students to pursue their interests and connect with like-minded peers. The diversity of the student body enriches the overall experience, as I have had the opportunity to interact with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures.... Read 4,342 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $17,652

• SAT range 1310-1530

• La Jolla, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  3,844 reviews

Junior: It is a great school overall that tries to engage its students. The classes are definitely difficult, especially for stem majors, but we do feel challenged and it does help build a great foundation for grad school or medical school. I also like that there is so much research available, although very competitive. The programs at UCSD and offices really try to engage with students whether freshmen or transfers, and always puts on fun events to connect students with one another.... Read 3,844 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 34%

• Net price $15,632

• SAT range 1270-1480

• Athens, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  5,655 reviews

Freshman: The University of Georgia offers a vibrant college experience with ample social opportunities, diverse career prospects, and unwavering student support. Through a wide range of clubs, organizations, and events, students can easily make friends and build lasting connections. The institution's emphasis on career development includes career fairs, networking events, and internship services, equipping students with the necessary skills for success. The innovative double dawgs program allows students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in just five years, saving time and money. Faculty, staff, and administrators prioritize student support, providing mentorship, counseling services, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The University of Georgia truly fosters an environment that promotes personal growth and prepares students for a bright future.... Read 5,655 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 40%

• Net price $16,902

• SAT range 1270-1450

• College Park, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  5,462 reviews

Senior: The university of Maryland is a good school because it counts with many academic resources to help students succeed. I am part of the federal fellow programs, which is a combination of a fall seminar and a spring internship. The program pairs students with organizations that fit the student's interest and career path and helps you though the internship application process.... Read 5,462 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $17,146

• SAT range 1330-1510

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  2,512 reviews

Sophomore: I would say that this university exemplifies what it means to be part of not just a university, but simultaneously a community. American University, while certainly providing exemplary classes and educational opportunities, is integrally where any prospective student can find a place to be and feel welcome. When college was approaching, I was heavily frightened by the prospect of being forced to make new friends and the difficulties which come with that. Instead, both those within my class and above were very social, helpful and kind in aiding me with navigating this tough transition. Not only do I feel like a well-established student with teachers happy to help me, but I also feel like I have a family and a place I can always come back to. As for change, I think placing for emphasis on student events may be something the university should look into. While they do a spectacular job of this near the beginning and end of the year, I think this could be done better in other parts.... Read 2,512 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $28,622

• SAT range 1280-1440

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  2,173 reviews

Sophomore: I really like the campus environment. It is welcoming and feels like a small campus, but located in the busy Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington DC. You are fully integrated into the city while experiencing the opportunities of a college campus. The internship opportunities and connections to both the public and private sector are plentiful. The dorms could improve. Dorm staff are nice but frequently slow to respond or unavailable.... Read 2,173 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 50%

• Net price $31,240

• SAT range 1310-1490

• Chapel Hill, NC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  2,580 reviews

Graduate Student: Studying at UNC Chapel Hill is a great privilege, still with room for growth. This review is specific to my experience as a master's student in the School of Social Work (with in-person, hybrid, and virtual classes). My pro's & con's center on 2 topics: Quality mentorship: The primary reason I came to CH is because of the quality mentorship from faculty & staff. Compared to my previous experiences, this school offered the perfect combination of expertise in what I hoped to learn along with supportive mentors. An area for growth is the lack of regular advising in the 3-year MSW Program. Diverse connections: The fact that the school is comprised of students, staff, faculty, and community members from a variety of diverse backgrounds is its greatest strength. This creates a learning experience much greater than what can be curated by any one group. Every interaction is a learning experience! An area for growth is the lack of diversity within greek life and among tenured faculty!... Read 2,580 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 20%

• Net price $11,508

• SAT range 1140-1380

• Rochester, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,578 reviews

Sophomore: I came to this school without having visited campus at all, and I'm so grateful that my move-in day was when I first got to experience it, with all my fellow freshman around me. People think, erroneously, that Rochester (both the city and the university) are boring places to be, and I would agree only insofar as to say that those who want things to come to them, might be bored. The city has so many amazing restaurants, venues, and sites, but you have to take that first step of getting on the bus to go see them. At an academically rigorous school like UR, it can be hard freshman year to remember that life exists outside of academics, and especially outside of STEM. UR has a vibrant arts community, though, not even including Eastman (which has student and professional concerts alike). Everyone finds their niche pretty easily once they look for it, because there is genuinely something for every type of person. And, everyone honestly supports each other all the time!... Read 1,578 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 41%

• Net price $40,125

• SAT range 1370-1520

• Tampa, FL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  7,353 reviews

Alum: I had a great experience. First and foremost, I learned a lot about myself. In regard to USF in general, the classes are a good size, the campus is huge and beautiful, the clubs are inclusive and fun, and the professors are overall very personable and knowledgable.... Read 7,353 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 49%

• Net price $10,004

• SAT range 1160-1320

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  4,554 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience at the University of Washington was highly rewarding. I appreciated the personalized learning environment created by smaller class sizes, allowing for more interaction with professors and fostering strong connections with peers. The campus was vibrant and inclusive, and the emphasis on research opportunities enhanced my education. While the cost of education and crowded courses could be areas for improvement, I would still highly recommend UW for its academic excellence and enriching experience.... Read 4,554 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $8,701

• SAT range 1200-1470