10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

1University of California-Irvine

The University of California in Irvine is ranked among the top 10 universities both public and private in the country.

With 87 types of undergraduate degrees offered here, there is something for everyone at this gorgeous, sunny campus.

This university has one of the most diverse and largest Public Health programs in the country.

There are over 1,500 students in the Public Health Bachelors degree program at any time, which means that you will be able to network and work with others to succeed in your goals.

A Bachelors degree from the University of California in Irvine takes four years to complete, which is typical in the United States.

Along the way, students will take part in science classes as well as sociology and even math classes to fulfill their graduation requirements.

Some of the specific courses that are necessary in order to graduate from the University of California in Irvine are:

• Case Studies in Public Health
• Organic Chemistry
• From DNA to Organisms
• Global Economy

Not only will students take part in classroom discussions but they will have lab time and even an internship through the school to learn hands-on experience in the field of Public Health.

With all of this new knowledge that you will procure over four years, you can find a great career in any of the following areas:

• Education Program Manager
• Community Organizer
• Health Counselor
• Health Literacy Program Manager

Enrollment

Those who are interested in undergraduate degrees can begin their journey with the University of California in Irvine by submitting an application on their website.

The application process has deadlines throughout the year so keep checking back on the website to make sure you don’t miss any important dates.

After completing your application you will need to submit a $70 non-refundable application fee as well.

Now, let’s talk about what you need in order to apply.

There are a list of items that are necessary to include with your application, like:

• High school and previous education transcripts
• ACT or SAT test scores
• Annual income proof
• Social security number
• Citizenship status

About four weeks after you submit your application you will receive an acknowledgment letter from the school.

You may also check your application status online through the school’s website.

An academic advisor will contact you via email if you have been accepted to the school.

Fees

For residents of California who do not plan to live on campus, the yearly fee to attend the University of California in Irvine is $30,946 which includes books, travel, and other fees.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree here, the total tuition cost is $123,784 upon graduation.

For residents of California who would like to live on campus, the yearly tuition is $40,202.

This comes out to a total of $160,808 after four years of education.

If you are someone who is not a resident of California but would still like to attend the school, you will pay $72,776 per year.

A non-resident will end up paying about $291,104 after graduating from this university.

Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available for qualified students here.

Contact Information

• Address: 401 East Peltason Dr. Suite 3200 Irvine, CA 92617
• Phone: 949-824-5011
• Website: www.uci.edu

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2San Diego State University

San Diego State University was founded in the 1800’s and has been going strong since day one.

Currently there are about 36,000 students roaming the campus and on their way to their dream career.

You could be among those with the Public Health Bachelors degree program that is offered here.

The Public Health Bachelors degree offers insight into researching many ways to keep communities and people safe.

Side by side with faculty and science-minded students, you will gain knowledge in courses that include:

• History of Public Health
• Medical Care Organizations and Delivery
• Health Data Analysis
• Planning Public Health Programs

One of the cool things about San Diego State University is that Public Health program students are required to take part in an international Public Health experience, whether that is an internship, study abroad or work abroad opportunity is up to you.

Once you have graduated from San Diego State University, you will be on your way to a successful career as a:

• Corporate Trainer
• Health Media Director
• Health Officer
• Infection Preventionist

Enrollment

San Diego State University has an easy application process, but you will need to make sure you get your application in on time as there are deadlines throughout the year.

Head to the website to fill out the application, it should only take about thirty minutes if you have all of the required paperwork ready to go.

There is a $70 non-refundable fee to apply to San Diego State University.

Expect to submit the following pieces of information along with your application:

• Official transcripts from high school or previous education if transferring
• Proof of citizenship status
• Parents employment background information

It is also important that you have a C- or higher in most of your classes throughout your junior and senior years to be admitted to this school.

Once you have completed your application, an academic advisor will reach out to you about next steps like campus tours, orientation, and signing up for classes.

Fees

Full-time students who are residents of California will pay $8,290 per year to attend this school.

This comes out to a total of $33,160 for four years of education.

If you are an out of state learner, expect to pay $11,880 per year to attend San Diego State University.

Once you have graduated, you will pay $47,520 in total tuition costs.

These numbers do not include room and board, which can be discussed with your admissions advisor as the costs vary immensely.

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available for all students.

Contact Information

• Address: 5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego, CA 92182
• Phone: 619-594-5200
• Website: www.sdsu.edu

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3Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University in California prides itself on having ambitious-problem solvers amongst it’s ample student body.

You could call this Jesuit educational facility home for four years if you choose to attend.

Even though it is a Jesuit founded and run school, any student is welcome to attend no matter their background or way of life.

There are over 50 amazing undergraduate degree programs to choose from and even more graduate programs, but for those interested in the Public Health Bachelors degree, you have come to the right place.

Within the Public Health program, students are given the ability to create healthy communities beyond the university.

This is a place to gain a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, sociology and much more with classes like:

• Epidemiology
• Evidence Based Public Health
• Women’s Health
• Health, Disease, and Culture

In order to graduate from this program, every student will need to participate in an internship with a local healthcare or government agency.

There are so many things to do and see throughout this program, and after graduation you will be equipped to find careers including:

• Worksite Safety Coordinator
• Health Education Director
• Cultural Competency Trainer
• Curriculum Development Specialist

Enrollment

Santa Clara University invites all people to attend their great school, from first year freshman to transfer students and beyond.

Head over to the website to fill out the easy and compact application and once you have completed it, please submit $70 as a non-refundable application fee.

Once you are there, you will notice that you will need to also submit some criteria in order to have a complete application, like:

• Official high school transcripts
• Academic teacher evaluation
• Secondary school report
• Mid-year report

Transfer students will be required to send in their transcripts from previous universities.

After completing the application, students are emailed a personal ID and password in order to check the status of their enrollment.

International students are required to take the English Proficiency exam and mail in their results before they will be accepted to the school.

Fees

Tuition for on-campus undergraduate students per year is $77,208.

After four years, the total amount of tuition, which includes room and board, for on-campus students is $308,832.

For those who choose to life off campus, the annual tuition is $59,241.

Once you have graduated from Santa Clara University, you will end up paying $236,964.

Other expenses that may apply yearly are:

• Books – $900
• Transportation – $1,900
• Personal expenses – $4,000

Contact Information

• Address: 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
• Phone: 408-554-4000
• Website: www.scu.edu

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4San José State University

San José State University is an urban public university located in, you guessed it, San José, California.

This university began before the Civil War in 1857, providing education to teachers in the state of California.

Now, though, there are over 250 majors to choose from and about 36,000 students roaming the campus on a daily basis.

People who have a knack for science and well-being may like the Public Health Bachelors degree that is offered here.

This degree requires four years of your time and will consist of biology and chemistry based classes, which will include:

• Understanding Your Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Care Organizations and Admin
• Healthy Communities

All classes are taken on campus and will pair great with other health, science, and sociology courses as requirements or even electives.

Once you have completed all of the necessary courses you will earn a Bachelors degree which can lead you toward a successful role in some great careers, like:

• Health Media Director
• Health Promotion Programmer
• Accreditation Coordinator
• Health Officer

Enrollment

Enrollment at San José State University is quick and easy, and once you’re in you’ll feel like family.

The easiest and best way to apply is through the school’s website with their online application.

Freshman, transfer students, international learners, and even people in the military are welcome to submit their application here.

In order to be considered for admission as a freshman student here, you will need to show that you:

• Have earned a high school diploma
• Completed required high school courses with a C- or above

Some other important information that you will need to submit along with your application includes:

• ACT and SAT scores
• Transcripts from previous education

Once you have completed the above criteria, submit your application and an academic advisor will contact you about the next steps.

It should take about two weeks to hear back from the school, at which time you’ll be able to select classes and declare your major.

Fees

Undergraduates who live on campus will pay $46,994 per year to attend this school.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the total for on-campus living students is $187,976.

Those who decide to live off campus while attending this university will pay $21,822 annually.

After four years, this total comes out to $87,288.

Financial aid and scholarships opportunities are available for this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1 Washington Sq. San José, CA 95192
• Phone: 408-924-1000
• Website: www.sjsu.edu

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5California Baptist University

California Baptist University is located in Riverside, California and is home to thousands of successful students.

There are many great things to do here, extracurriculars to join, and work/study programs that will keep you on the track toward your dream degree and career.

Those who have a love for health and public safety will enjoy the four year Public Health Bachelors degree program offered here.

Students in this program work to ensure communities have access to healthcare and other beneficial necessities to stay healthy.

Along the way, students will take on general education classes but most of the focus of this degree is biology, sociology and chemistry based.

There are several required courses to take on this degree track, which will include:

• Principles of Environment
• Occupational Health
• Outbreak and Emergency Prep Response
• Health Behavior Change

California Baptist University also provides opportunities for field experience so students can gain real life insight into what it takes to work in the Public Health field.

With the hands-on knowledge and classroom time it takes to earn a degree here, students can get exceptional careers in areas such as:

• Health Practitioner
• Wellness Consultant
• Health Education Director
• Public Health Inspector

Enrollment

Freshman, transfer students, online learners, and even international students are welcome to head to the website of California Baptist University to fill out an application.

There are some requirements for this school, such as:

• Submitting official transcripts from high school or previous education
• 3-5 paragraph essay

You will also be required to pay a $45 non-refundable fee with your application.

International students should contact the school to talk to an admissions advisor about what all is necessary to apply to California Baptist University.

After submitting your application, it may take a couple of weeks for you to hear back from the school.

Once you do, it will be easy to enroll in classes and decide if you want to stay on campus or learn from home.

Fees

Tuition for full time students who live and eat on campus at California Baptist University is $51,500 per year.

Students who plan to live at home or elsewhere won’t have to pay that much, their tuition will be $40,030 per year.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, campus living students will pay $206,000 for their total education and off-campus students will pay $161,200 upon graduation.

Books will cost between $600 and $1,000 per semester.

Health insurance is $994 per semester, but is not a required expense.

Contact Information

• Address: 8432 Magnolia Ave. Riverside, CA 92504
• Phone: 951-689-5771
• Website: www.calbaptist.edu

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6California State University-San Bernardino

California State University in San Bernardino is considered one of the best values in school tuition in the West United States.

If that is not a great reason to head over here to earn your Bachelors degree, then consider the hundreds of activities, evens, programs, and extracurriculars that the school has to offer.

For science minded and socially conscious adults, the Public Health Bachelors degree is another great reason to consider California State University in San Bernardino your home.

This concentration, credited by the Council on Education for Public Health, prepares graduates to have careers in healthcare, government, and even international organizations.

Not only do students in this program gain knowledge through classroom time, but they are also invited to take on field work opportunities, research challenges, and even service goals.

Once you have completed all of the necessary curriculum for graduation, you may be eligible for the Certified Health Education Specialist certificate.

It takes four years to complete a degree at this university, but students who have graduated from the Public Health degree track are on their way to successful careers in roles like:

• Health Program Analyst
• Public Health Inspector
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Medical Research Manager

Enrollment

If you are interested in studying at California State University in San Bernardino, consider taking on a campus tour before committing to the school.

This way, you can get comfortable with your surroundings and ensure that you are ready to attend this school.

Once you have decided, head over to the website to fill out the easy application.

There is a $70 non-refundable application fee for all applications submitted to this school.

Some students may even want to request a pre-application appointment with an academic advisor to help walk them through the process.

There are some pieces of information you’ll need to attach to your application, such as:

• Official transcripts
• Social security number
• Citizenship status
• Annual income
• ACT or SAT test scores

Once you have submitted all of your information an academic advisor will get in contact with you about which classes you will need to enroll in in order to get you on your way to a great career.

Fees

It costs $11,484 per year to attend California State University in San Bernardino.

After four years, this comes out to $45,936.

Students who are interested in room and board will need to contact the campus to talk about those options with an academic advisor.

There are financial aid and scholarship opportunities available for qualified students of this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 5500 University Pkwy. San Bernardino, CA 92407
• Phone: 909-537-5000
• Website: www.csusb.edu

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7California Polytechnic State University

California Polytechnic State University is ranked as both the most innovative school and the top public school in the West by U.S. News and World Report.

This public university located in San Luis Obispo, California is dedicated to their students from day one.

California Polytechnic School has been around for two centuries, and it has no plans of stopping any time soon.

While here, students can discover many new and interesting majors, including the Bachelors in Public Health program.

This program is designed to integrate communities and healthcare systems so that everyone can have the healthiest life possible.

As a four year program, students are given the chance to take part in general education classes as well as more science-related courses to intrigue and push them toward their goals.

Some of the classes that you will take throughout your time at this school are:

• Drugs in Society
• Women’s Health Issues
• Obesity Prevention and Treatment
• Global Health

Students in this program will also be required to take part in an internship and a senior project that correlates with the curriculum.

Everything that is taught here will help students pursue careers in Public Health, such as:

• Corporate Trainer
• Employee Wellness Coordinator
• HIV/AIDS Research Associate
• Intervention Researcher

Enrollment

First year freshman, international students, returning learners, and even military students are welcome to apply to this great college.

To submit your application, all you will need to do is head to the website and fill it out right online.

In order to complete your application you will need to submit the following information as well: 

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• ACT or SAT scores
• Household income documents
• Social security number

There is a $70 non-refundable application fee for this school.

Once you have completed your application and submitted it, an academic advisor will get in contact with you within about two weeks.

Fees

Students living on campus will pay $33,024 per year to attend California Polytechnic State University.

This adds up to $132,096 after four years of education.

If you plan to stay at home or elsewhere you will pay $22,374 per year to attend this school.

On average, after graduation this total comes out to $89,496.

Financial aid, scholarships, and work/study opportunities are a great way to pay for school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
• Phone: 805-756-1111
• Website: www.calpoly.edu

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8Pitzer College

Pitzer College is a top-ranked liberal arts and science school that first opened it’s doors in 1963.

Students from across the United States are welcome to attend this university located in Claremont, California.

The close-knit community here is a great place to gain your degree in Public Health.

The Bachelors degree program at Pitzer College takes four years to complete and is filled with knowledgeable staff and students who help each other achieve their dreams.

There are many science based classes that are required in this field of study, including:

• Integrated Biology
• Global Climate Change
• Cell Cycle, Diseases and Aging
• Biology of Cancer

A degree in Public Health will allow graduates to secure great careers in pubic and private sectors as well as healthcare and government agencies.

Once you have earned your degree here, you will be knowledgeable to handle careers in areas like:

• Director of Health Promotion
• Alcohol Educator
• Infectious Disease Analyst
• Database Administrator

Enrollment

If you are looking to attend Pitzer College you may want to consider signing up for a campus tour to make sure that this is the right school for you.

There is a $70 fee to apply to Pitzer College and everything that you need to do can be done online.

The application process is easy and just requires you to fill out your personal information as well as submit the following documents:

• Teacher recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Mid-year report
• Interview

Once you have completed all of the above requirements you are on your way to becoming a student at Pitzer College.

Fees

Students who live on campus at Pitzer College will pay $80,432 per year to attend.

This adds up to $321,692 after graduating with a Bachelors degree.

Those who choose not to live on campus will pay $68,750.

After four years of education, the total amount required is $275,000.

All books and other expenses are included in these prices.

Contact Information

• Address: 1050 North Mills Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
• Phone: 909-621-8000
• Website: www.pitzer.edu

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9La Sierra University

La Sierra University in Riverside, California is a great public school with knowledgeable staff that know a thing or two about the field that they work in.

Students at this school receive top-notch education and hands-on experience through class and lab work as well as internships and work/study programs.

Those who are interested in their communities and the welfare of others will enjoy the four year Public Health Bachelors degree program offered here.

Throughout your time at La Sierra University, students within this program are challenged with research, evaluation, and data skills that can lead toward life-long careers in Public Health.

While studying at La Sierra University, students will be introduced to topics in courses like:

• Dimensions in Health
• Lifestyle Diseases
• Health and the Global Environment
• Nutrition Theory and Practice

Currently there are only on-campus classes offered at this school, but maybe one day an online course will be added.

Once graduated, students will have the skills to answer critical questions in the healthcare community and understand how different environments can affect the health of individuals and communities.

Expect to have success in some really incredible careers once you have completed your four years at La Sierra University, such as:

• Director of Family Health Services
• Behavioral Research Scientist
• Vaccine Researcher
• Disease Ecologist

Enrollment

In order to be considered for admission at La Sierra University, prospective students will need to create an account in order to apply.

Along with your application, it is important to submit the following paperwork:

• High school transcript
• GPA of 2.8 or above
• SAT or ACT scores

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee with all applications submitted on the website.

If you are transferring from another school there is a separate application and you will need to provide proof of any credits earned from previous schools.

Fees

Every year, full time students will pay $33,912.

This comes out to $135,648 after receiving your Bachelors degree.

This does not include housing and meals, which add up to about $11,325 per year.

If you factor in those costs, students will pay $79,212 for their college education.

Scholarships and financial aid are available for this university.

Contact Information

• Address: 4500 Riverwalk Parkway Riverside, CA 92505
• Phone: 800-864-5587
• Website: www.lasierra.edu

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10Portland State University

The only out of state school on our list is Portland State University.

Consider traveling north to Portland, Oregon to study Public Health at this diverse public school.

This urban university is great for people who love the feel of the big city and beautiful scenery of Portland, Oregon.

While here, check out the Bachelors degree program for Public Health as it is a critical part of today’s culture.

The Public Health Bachelors degree program prepares students to understand and implement programs to promote good health in populations.

Portland State University gives students the opportunity to work with two schools in order to obtain this degree.

While studying here, you will find yourself a part of some great classes that have interesting topics such as:

• Environmental Science
• Identity and Society
• Human Development
• Human Anatomy and Physiology

Portland State University offers both on-campus and online courses so you can get the best of both worlds.

With a Bachelors degree in Public Health, you will be able to gain employment in areas like:

• Medical Writer
• Health Inspector
• Community Health Worker
• Health Center Administrator

Enrollment

Portland State University has an easy online application that should only take about twenty minutes to complete.

The school does have some requirements for prospective students, these include:

• Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Complete English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Arts with at least a C-

If you meet this criteria, then the next step is to fill out your application and submit the $60 non-refundable application fee.

Along with your application, expect to include some important paperwork: 

• SAT or ACT scores
• Official high school or previous education transcripts

After submitting your application, check the website to see if you have been admitted or wait a week or two for an academic advisor to contact you about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Residents of Oregon pay $21,612 for full-time classes annually.

This comes out to $86,448 after graduation.

If you live in Washington, you will pay $23,412 per year to attend Portland State University.

Graduates from Washington end up paying $93,648 once they have completed their education.

Prospective students from other states can expect to pay $59,412 annually to attend this school.

Upon graduation, out-of-state learners pay $237,648 to earn a degree.

There are some other expenses that may apply at Portland State University, including:

• Books – $800
• Room and Board – $9,600 to $16,500
• Health Insurance – $1,500

Contact Information

• Address: 1825 Southwest Broadway Portland, OR 97201
• Phone: 503-725-3000
• Website: www.pdx.edu

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