What is a public health major?

What is public health?

Public health is all about helping people stay healthy—before they get sick. Instead of treating individual patients, public health professionals look at communities, systems, and policies to prevent illness and promote wellness.

As a public health major, you'll learn how to identify health trends, design programs that help people live better lives, and tackle big issues like food access, clean water, and health equity.

Is a public health major a good fit for me?

You might be drawn to public health if you:

• Want to make a difference in your community
• Like science but also care about policy or social justice
• Enjoy solving big-picture problems
• Thrive in collaborative, team-focused environments

If that sounds like you, a career in public health may be the right path. To find schools with public health programs, use free tools like Scout College Search.

Is a public health major hard?

It can be challenging—but in a good way. Public health majors take a mix of science, statistics, and policy classes. You’ll need to think critically, communicate clearly, and apply what you learn to real-world problems.

It’s not as lab-heavy as biology or chemistry, but it’s more data- and systems-focused than majors like sociology or psychology.

What courses and concentrations can I expect?

Public health majors cover a wide range of topics. Some common classes include:

• Epidemiology
• Global health
• Health policy
• Environmental health
• Biostatistics
• Community health education
• Public health ethics

Depending on your school, you might also choose a concentration (a focused area of study within your major) like:

• Global health
• Health communication
• Epidemiology and disease prevention
• Environmental and occupational health
• Maternal and child health

What skills will I gain as a public health major?

This major equips you with a blend of scientific and people-focused skills that are useful across industries. Expect to build skills in:

• Research and data analysis
• Public speaking and communication
• Policy development and advocacy
• Project planning and implementation
• Cultural competence and empathy
• Critical thinking and systems thinking

What can I do with a public health degree?

A bachelor’s degree in public health can lead to careers in:

• Health education
• Community outreach
• Policy analysis
• Program coordination
• Public health research
• Environmental health
• Health data analysis

Want to go further? A public health degree also sets you up for grad school in public health (MPH), health administration (MHA), epidemiology, or even medical school.

Top careers with a public health degree

Here are some in-demand public health jobs:

• Health educator
• Epidemiologist (with grad degree)
• Public health analyst
• Environmental health specialist
• Community health worker
• Policy advisor
• Global health coordinator
• Health communications specialist

How much can I earn with a public health degree?

Median salary

• Community health worker: $51,030
• Health educator: $63,000
• Environmental health specialist: $80,060
• Epidemiologist (with MPH): $83,980

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2025

Public health vs. nursing or medicine—what’s the difference?

Public health focuses on preventing disease and promoting wellness across communities. Nursing and medicine focus on treating individuals after they get sick.

If you want to work in hospitals and provide direct care, nursing or pre-med might be a better fit. But if you want to change systems, influence policy, or work on the root causes of health issues, public health could be perfect for you.

Double majors and minors that pair well with public health

To customize your path, consider these smart pairings:

• Biology or chemistry: For research or pre-med tracks
• Sociology or political science: For policy and equity work
• Statistics or data science: For analytics roles
• Communications: For public health education or health media
• Spanish or another language: For work in diverse communities

Top schools for public health majors

Many schools now offer strong undergraduate public health programs. Some of the most well-known include:

• University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Washington
• Boston University
• University of Michigan
• George Washington University

Not sure where to start? Use the Scout College Search to find schools that match your interests.

How can I afford my degree in public health?

Whether you're planning to work in health education, research, or policy, paying for school is a big step—but there’s help.

To get the most financial aid you can for school—including federal grants which DON'T need to be paid back, be sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA^®).

Plus, there are scholarships out there for public health students. Explore scholarships by major, search and filter opportunities with Scholly Scholarships, and be sure to apply for our easy $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.

A public health major gives you the power to improve lives—not just one at a time, but by changing systems and shaping healthier communities. Whether you’re drawn to education, advocacy, policy, or research, this major offers real-world impact and career potential.