10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

1University of Illinois-Chicago

The University of Illinois in Chicago may be the largest in the state, but students still obtain personalized attention with classroom ratios of 19 students to 1 professor.

Each faculty member is top in their field and is dedicated to helping each student fulfill their respective dreams.

Right in the heart of Chicago, you could be among the 33,000 students enrolled each year.

At the University of Illinois in Chicago, there are 95 majors to choose from and one of those is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Throughout your time at this college, you’ll take multiple general education classes as well as specialized courses that pertain to Public Health and biology as a whole.

This four year program requires 120 credit hours, and classroom time will be done in courses like:

• Critical Thinking in Public Health
• Health Systems, Health Policy
• Local Citizenship and Community Health Initiatives
• Historical and Contemporary Public Health Challenges

Each Public Health program student will also be required to take part in a project that demonstrates the critical and analytic thinking skills taught throughout the four years of school.

Completion of this project and maintenance of a C average will lead you toward graduation and a successful career in Public Health.

Public Health is a necessity in today’s world, and you can be a part of it in roles that include:

• Safety Coordinator
• Cancer Information Specialist
• Biometric Health Screener
• Patient Care Coordinator

Enrollment

There are many options for people who would like to enroll at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

First, you can choose whether you would like to attend school on campus or stay at home to learn.

Either way you are invited to apply right on the website of the school.

The application is fairly easy to do and will only take about twenty to thirty minutes to complete.

No matter if you are a first year freshman, transfer student, or even an international learner, you are welcome to apply.

There are a few pieces of information that you should have handy to attach to your application, including:

• High school transcripts
• ACT or SAT scores
• Advanced placement scores of applicable

There are several deadlines for enrollment throughout the year, so keep that in mind when applying.

It will take a couple of weeks to hear back about the status of your enrollment, but you can also check online.

Fees

If you are from Illinois then it will cost $18,452 annually to attend the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Since it takes about four years to complete a degree, the average graduate spends $73,808 in total.

Out of state learners will pay $33,474 in yearly tuition fees.

This means that after four years of learning, out of state students will end up paying $133,896 after graduation.

There are many programs, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities that can help students pay for college.

Check out the schools website to learn more about the different programs to get involved in to help you pay for school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1200 West Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60607
• Phone: 312-996-7000
• Website: www.uic.edu

---

2Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University is another large public educational institution located in Dekalb, Illinois.

This suburban campus is 800 acres and houses over 11,000 students throughout the academic year.

Small classes lead toward great success at Northern Illinois University, where each student is given the attention needed to make great strides in their education.

While looking to study at Northern Illinois University, you will see that there are many programs to choose from.

Those who enjoy working with their communities, helping others, and desire a career in healthcare can take note of the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

Each Public Health program is four years long and designed to help students focus on health issues, wellness promotion, disease prevention, and the safety of the community.

At Northern Illinois University there are four key areas to dedicate your time to in the Public Health program:

• Health Administration
• Environment and Health
• Health Promotion
• General Public Health

No matter which path you choose, you will take courses directly correlating to your chosen field.

Along with general education classes, students in the Public Health program will take on science and sociology related courses like:

• Elements of Environmental Health
• Principles of Health Planning
• Chemistry
• Ethical Decision Making for Health Professionals

Each faculty member teaching students in the Public Health program have extensive knowledge in research like clinical trials, international healthcare systems, design analysis, and the social aspects of exercise.

Once you have graduated from Northern Illinois University, you will notice an abundance of great career choices open up for you, including roles as a:

• Health Administrator
• Quality Analyst
• Community Health Worker
• Lactation Consultant

Enrollment

If you are looking for a quick and easy application process, then look no further than Northern Illinois University.

Here, students don’t need to submit ACT or SAT scores, in fact the school only looks at prospective students GPA before admitting them.

While on the school’s website, head over to the admissions tab and choose whether you are a first year freshman, transfer student, returning, graduate, or even law student before submitting your application.

Once there, you’ll need to create a username and password so that you can get back on the website and finish your application if you need to leave or restart.

There are deadlines throughout the year, so keep a look out for those while submitting your application so you don’t miss out.

After submitting your application, you’ll need to activate your new NUI account ID and then wait about two weeks to hear back from the school about your application status.

Fees

Basic tuition at Northern Illinois University is $12,504 per year which comes out to $50,016 after four years of education.

If you plan to use room and board, you’ll pay $24,252 to attend this school, for a total of $97,008 upon graduation.

Illinois residents can get free tuition for their first year of college at Northern Illinois University.

When you apply, you will also be entered into several scholarships so that you can save even more money on school.

Financial aid is also available for qualified students.

Contact Information

• Address: 1425 West Lincoln Hwy. DeKalb, IL 60115
• Phone: 815-753-0395
• Website: www.niu.edu

---

3Loyola University-Chicago

If you are looking for a gorgeous lake-front campus, then look no further than Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.

Located in downtown Chicago, students are in the heart of the city with Lake Michigan views.

One of the more impressive things about Loyola University is that they also have a campus in Rome, Italy, which means you can study abroad.

If that’s not enough to pique your interest, you’ll be delighted to know there are 80 majors to choose from, and one of those is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

At the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health students take part in a four year program that leads to knowledge, skills, and professional values to be an engaged citizen of Public Health.

Some of the important skills you will learn as a student of Public Health at this university includes:

• How to advocate for health equity
• Understand and engage in ethical health practices
• Social justice skills
• How to identify and address population issues
• Speaking in professional healthcare dialect

Along the way, students will engage in classroom time and lab time in courses like:

• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Critical Thinking in Public Health
• Environmental Health

This program is accredited with the Council on Education for Public Health, which means everything you learn is up to date and researched.

Earning a degree from Loyola University is an incredible accomplishment, and can lead to open doors in careers such as:

• Contact Tracer
• Health Administrator
• Nutrition Services Coordinator
• Education Program Manager

Enrollment

Loyola University has a great online application that is quick and easy to fill out.

It doesn’t matter if you are a first year freshman, transfer student, or international learner, you are welcome to apply to Loyola University.

As of right now, the application is free to submit, and should only take about twenty minutes of your time.

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

• Transcripts from high school
• SAT or ACT scores
• Letter of recommendation
• Transfer information if applicable

After you submit your application and paperwork, you will hear back from the school within a couple of weeks.

An academic advisor will reach out to you via email about your enrollment status.

Fees

If you plan too study full time at Loyola University, you will pay $25,135 per year.

On average, graduates will end up paying about $100,540 after four years of education.

For information about room and board, speak with an academic advisor as there are many option available.

Other fees that may occur while attending this college are:

• Books – $1,000 per year
• Orientation fee – $360
• Late fee – $50
• Technology fee – $125 per semester

Contact Information

• Address: 1032 West Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660
• Phone: 773-274-3000
• Website: www.luc.edu

---

4Purdue University

The Wall Street Journal has credited Purdue University as one of the top ten public schools in the nation.

Along with that, Purdue University is ranked number 7 in best value by Higher Education.

These accolades may entice you to take a look at Purdue, but the Bachelors degree programs will definitely make you want to stay and learn here.

Purdue University is located in Indiana, but thousands of Illinois residents flock to this great location for the inspiring education programs here.

With over 100 different choices, there is a major for everyone no matter your interest at Purdue University.

Healthcare professionals who want to do better for their community will find a home in the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

Things are done a little different at Purdue, and students have access to multiple research opportunities and ways to grow in their degree, which means it will take five years to finish a Bachelors at this school.

After that five years, you can earn a Masters degree as well, which is a great accomplishment in itself.

Some of the classes that you will need to complete in order to fulfill degree obligations include:

• Biostatistics
• Behavioral Health
• Health Disparities
• Health Policy and Management

The employment rate of graduates from Purdue University six months after graduation is 94%.

This means your odds of landing your dream career are high with a degree from Purdue.

Expect to find lasting roles in careers such as:

• Infectious Disease Outbreak Investigator
• Chronic Disease Health Educator
• Health Coach
• Public Health Analyst

Enrollment

Before beginning your application at Purdue University, make sure you haven’t missed any deadlines that happen throughout the year.

Graduate students, first year freshman, transfer students, and even International students are welcome to apply.

All you will need to do is find the right application for the type of student you are and fill out everything online.

Veterans are also welcome to apply to Purdue University and should contact an academic advisor to get help with the steps needed to complete the process.

Once you have submitted your application, it may take a week or two to hear back about the status of your application.

After you have been admitted, you’ll need to sign up for orientation and pay any fees associated with studying at Purdue University.

Fees

If you are a resident of Indiana, the base pay for Purdue University is $9,992 per year.

For those who want to utilize room and board, that number goes up to $20,022 per year.

Since every Bachelors degree requires a four year commitment, graduates from Indiana will pay between $39,968 and $80,008 for a degree.

Now, if you are from another state but attend Purdue University, you will pay $28,794 in base pay or $38,824 for room and board as well.

This comes out to $115,176 for four years with no room and board and $155,296 with those amenities.

International students will pay $41,134 to attend Purdue University for one year, and $164,536 in total tuition costs.

Other fees that may apply include:

• Books – $1,010
• Transportation – $2,280

Contact Information

• Address: 601 Purdue Mall West Lafayette, IN 47907
• Phone: 765-494-4600
• Website: www.purdue.edu

---

5Western Illinois University

Located in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois University is another great public institution.

With its founding in 1899, this school has grown to over 1,000 acres of campus in the last  124 years.

Though this school is public, it is located in a rural part of town and only houses about 6,000 students a semester.

If you are looking for a large campus with a small town feel, then look no further than Western Illinois University.

Within the school system, you will find several majors to choose from, and one of the best for healthcare and community minded people is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

You’ll love this degree program for its study abroad opportunities, professional internships, and small class sizes with knowledgable professors.

While in this four year program, you will be expected to take courses that include:

• Community Health Education
• Environmental Health
• Personal Health Promotion
• Drug Use and Abuse

There are three niches to look into while studying Public Health at Western Illinois University, and these are:

• Community Health Education
• Public Health Preparedness
• Environmental and Occupational Safety

No matter the road you choose to head down, there is no doubt that a degree from Western Illinois University will provide you with several career opportunities.

After graduation, you should be able to land your dream career in roles like:

• Youth Program Specialist
• Wellness Consultant
• Health Media Director
• Emergency Management Director

Enrollment

No matter what type of student you plan to be, Western Illinois will welcome you with open arms.

The free and easy online application is your first step toward becoming a part of the Western Illinois family.

You will need to create an account on the school’s website, but that is fairly simple.

After you complete the application, you will also need to submit the following information to the school:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• SAT or ACT scores

If you are an international student, you will need to pass an English proficiency exam before enrolling.

Military and veterans are also welcome to apply, and will receive discounts after acceptance.

Fees

Students of Western Illinois University pay per credit hour, and the an undergraduate full time student will pay $326 per credit hour.

Graduates will end up paying about $39,120 not including room and board since it takes about 120 credit hours to graduate.

Students from other countries will pay $490 per credit hour, and active military students will pay $250 per credit hour.

International students will pay $58,800 in total while military students will pay $30,000 upon graduation.

Room and board is $5,460 per semester for all students.

Some other fees that may apply at Western Illinois University include:

• Health insurance – $2,000 per year
• Late fees – $50

Contact Information

• Address: 1 University Circle Macomb, IL 61455
• Phone: 309-298-1414
• Website: www.wiu.edu

---

6Northeastern Illinois University

Another Chicago based school is Northeastern Illinois University.

Though this campus is in the heart of Chicago, it’s not as big as some of the others mention.

In fact, there are only about 5,000 students roaming the campus each year.

If you are looking for somewhere to learn that doesn’t feel like a large city, then this school is perfect for your needs.

There are many health inequalities throughout our country today, and a degree from Northeastern Illinois University can help to balance those out, especially with a Public Health Bachelors degree.

Each degree earned here takes about four years to complete, and helps students focus on their desired career choice.

Throughout the Public Health program, students learn how to impact their communities with intervention, acknowledgment, and solutions for every day needs.

You’ll take on a multitude of classes designed to give you insight into the world of healthcare and Public Health as a whole.

Some of the classes that you will be expected to partake in are:

• Biology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Promotion
• Healthcare Administration

Careers in Public Health are expected to increase by 13% over the next couple of years.

This means we need more Public Health Workers, and with a degree from Northeastern Illinois University this could be you, in a role like:

• Public Health Researcher
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Global Health Consultant
• Contact Tracer

Enrollment

At Northeastern Illinois University, admissions advisors suggest that you connect with the school to take a campus tour so that you know that this school is right for you.

Once you have completed the tour, you’ll want to go onto the website to fill out the easy application.

You can even save your progress by creating an account.

All types of students are welcome to apply here from first year freshman, transfer students, veterans, international learners and even military personnel.

No matter which kind of learner you expect to be, you’ll need to wait a couple of weeks before you hear back from the school about your enrollment.

Once you have been accepted, you will then start to enroll in classes and take part in orientation.

Fees

If you are a resident of Illinois and meet the following requirements, you may get the first year of your college education for free at Northeastern Illinois University.

• Be an IL resident who attended a high school in IL
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Have a gross income of $60,000 or less
• Complete a financial aid form

If you do not qualify for this reduced tuition, or you are a second year student and beyond, the tuition at Northeastern Illinois University is $430 per credit hour for residents of Illinois.

Once you have graduated from Northeastern Illinois University, you will end up paying $55,560 in total.

Out of state learners will pay $861 per credit hour, which adds up to $103,320 after four year of education.

Contact Information

• Address: 5500 North St. Louis Ave. Chicago, IL 60625
• Phone: 773-583-4050
• Website: www.neiu.edu

---

7Ball State University

Head to Muncie, Indiana to take a look at the beautiful suburban Ball State University campus.

This gorgeous school was founded in 1918, and has been growing to its 13,000 student capacity a year ever since.

Though you will have to step outside the borders of Illinois to attend this great university, students from across the world are welcome here.

Each major is accredited in its own way, and the Public Health Bachelors degree at Ball State University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

If you have a passion for helping your community and learning more about the healthcare system, then you may be on the right track with a Public Health Bachelors degree at Ball State University.

Early on in your education here, you will gain access to research opportunities with faculty member that help with hands-on experience and real life knowledge.

Expect to take a multitude of science related classes, including courses like:

• Principles of Public Health
• Peer Health Education
• Death and Dying
• Environmental Health

Students in this four year program are also required to take on an internship locally in order to fulfill degree requirements.

This can also lead to a successful life-long career after graduation, considering you will have gained knowledge in the field you wish to work.

Once you have completed your courses, research, and internship, you will be on our way to graduating and a career in roles that include:

• Healthcare Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Dietitian
• Emergency Medical Provider

Enrollment

Ball State University has a very easy online application that shouldn’t take much of your time to complete.

All types of students are welcome to enroll here, from freshman, transfer students, and international students.

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

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• SAT or ACT scores
• Personal statement

Once you have completed the above criteria, submitting your application is the next step.

It should only take about 30 minutes to complete the application and it will be on its way to an admissions advisor.

After an admissions advisor goes over your application, you will hear back from them about your acceptance status, which takes about two weeks.

Fees

Those who live in Indiana pay $21,236 per year to attend Ball State University.

This means a four year education will equal $84,944 in tuition costs.

For those who do not want to utilize room and board, the tuition cost is $8,434 per year, or $33,736 after four years.

Those who do not live in Illinois will pay $38,720 per year to attend this school with room and board.

This means that upon graduation, out of state students will pay $154,880.

At $25,918 per year, not using room and board will lower tuition and also bring the total tuition to $103,672 upon graduation.

Financial aid is a great way to ease the cost of school and is available for students who attend Ball State University.

Contact Information

• Address: 2000 West University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306
• Phone: 765-289-1241
• Website: www.bsu.edu

---

8Indiana State University

Another Indiana housed school is Indiana State University, just hours away from Illinois.

This public school is perfect for people who want to maintain their city life-style but not in the heart of Chicago.

Indiana State University is located in Terra Haute, Indiana and has a 94% acceptance rate.

There are over 100 programs to choose from for individuals with differing interests at this school.

Among them is the four year Public Health Bachelors degree, which is great for people who want a necessary role in the healthcare community.

Within the Health and Human Services building, you will find all of the courses necessary to earn a degree in Public Health.

Expect to take many science and sociology related courses that pertain to healthcare and health promotion, including ones like:

• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Public Health Concepts
• Environmental Health
• Substance Abuse Education

Along with classroom time, students are given the chance to partake in internships as well as service learning projects which will help gain knowledge through hands on experience.

Once you have graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelors degree, you can go on to earn a Masters at the school or head on to your dream career.

There are countless opportunities awaiting you with a degree from Indiana State University, including roles in careers such as:

• Patient Education Director
• Data Scientist
• Public Health Officer
• Youth Outreach Coordinator

Enrollment

Head over to the website for Indiana State University and submit the $25 application fee to get started on enrollment.

Once there, you’ll see that you can submit your application right online.

You will also need to provide the school with some important information to complete your application:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• SAT or ACT scores

With your application, you will need to provide which major you are going to choose so that an academic advisor can assist you in picking the right classes for your program.

You’ll also want to sign up for a campus tour and orientation at this time.

Expect to hear back about enrollment within two to three weeks of submitting your application.

Fees

If you are from Indiana, you will pay $9,452 per year to attend Indiana State University.

After four years of education, Indiana residents pay $37,808 in total tuition costs.

Non residents and international students will pay $20,880 per year.

This means that non residents of Indiana have a total tuition cost of $83,520 after graduation.

Room and board prices are separate and come out to:

• Room – $7,450 per year
• Meal plan – $3,900 per year

Contact Information

• Address: 200 North 7th St. Terra Haute, IN 47809
• Phone: 812-237-3773
• Website: www.indstate.edu

---

---

9Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis is a great public school that has students at the heart of each degree program.

This urban university was built in the 1960’s and has been going strong since its foundations.

Focused on transforming the minds of its students, scholars here will leave a different person than they came on campus.

There are several degree programs to choose from throughout the vast campuses and buildings, including Public Health with the Bachelors degree.

Not only can Illinois residents move to Indiana to pursue their dreams at IUPUI, but they can also find their education 100% online so they don’t even need to leave the state to earn a degree.

No matter which path you choose, there are some great courses that will lead you toward the career of your dreams at IUPUI.

At the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, you will engage with other students in courses that include:

• Environmental Health Science
• Zombie Apocalypse and other Doomsday Infections
• Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health
• Influencing the Public’s Health

There are over 200,000 new Public Health careers beginning each day and that number won’t be stopping any time soon.

This is the perfect time to earn a Public Health degree, and from IUPUI you can do it anywhere.

Expect to gain access to hundreds of great career roles, especially in areas such as:

• Disease Intervention Specialist
• Program Manager
• Health Educator
• Epidemiologist

Enrollment

Everything that you need to do in order to apply to this school can be done right from the website.

In fact, the application process is so easy that it should take no more than 30 minutes for you to complete.

Keep in mind that there is a $65 non-refundable application fee for submitting your application.

Along with your application, it is important to include the following information:

• High school transcripts or previous education transcripts
• ACT or SAT scores
• Letter of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Essay question

Home school students, military personnel, transfer students, and international students are all welcome to apply to this school.

It should take about two weeks to hear back via email about your enrollment status.

Fees

If you are from the state of Indiana, you will pay $9,944 per year to attend.

In-state graduates end up paying $39,776 for a four year education here.

Those who are not from Indiana will pay $31,626 per year.

After graduation, you will end up paying $126,504 for a Bachelors degree.

There is a flat fee for all tuition at Indiana schools to make it easier for students to pay for all of the necessary requirements to get an education.

Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Contact Information

• Address: 420 University Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46202
• Phone: 317-274-5555
• Website: www.iupui.edu

---

10Ohio State University

The only school in Ohio is on this list because of it’s incredible educational programs.

This huge school has a 1,665 acre campus and over 47,000 students in attendance at any given time.

If you are looking for a great place to feel like you are in Chicago without having to be in the middle of it, then head to Ohio State University where you can meet a new set of diverse people.

Here, you will find hundreds of opportunities to expand your knowledge and grow as a human being.

Among the over 200 majors and minors, you’ll want to take a closer look at the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Health minded science lovers will enjoy this four year program as it is comprehensive and intense, but necessary in today’s world.

Some of the courses that are required at Ohio State University for completion of a degree include:

• Global Health
• Epidemiology
• Biology
• Community Health

Students are also given the chance to work with organizations like the Peace Corps, Americorps, and CDC training fellowships.

You’ll love the all encompassing education available at Ohio State University, and when you graduate many new careers will be open to you, such as:

• Cultural Competency Trainer
• Health Literacy Program Director
• School Health Educator
• Wellness Consultant

Enrollment

For those who are interested in enrolling at Ohio State University, you will want to head over to the website to begin your application.

There is some incredible information on the website, including how to test early and submit an essay.

Both online and on-campus applications require that you pay the $60 non-refundable fee before submitting.

Along with your application, you will need to provide some important paperwork, like:

• Official transcripts from high school or previous education if you are transferring
• ACT or SAT scores
• Verification if homeschooled
• Letter of recommendation
• Financial aid information

It is likely that it will take about two weeks to hear back on whether you have been accepted to this school or not.

This is a large school with many new applicants per day, so you can head to the website to check the status of your enrollment as well.

Ohio State University has some minimum requirements for the applicants that it allows to enroll, so take a look at the website to see if you fit the criteria.

Fees

Non-residents of Ohio will pay $36,722 per year to attend Ohio State University.

Room and board is an additional $13,966 per year.

The average Bachelors degree costs $202,752 for non-residents.

If you are from Ohio, you will pay $12,485, with room and board that comes out to $26,451 per year.

After graduation, the total tuition for Ohio residents is $104,804.

International students will pay $39,650 in tuition as well as $13,966 in room and board per year.

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

Contact Information

• Address: 281 West Lane Ave. Columbus, OH 43212
• Phone: 614-292-6031
• Website: www.osu.edu

---