10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Virginia

1Old Dominion University

Southern charm runs abundant at Old Dominion University located in Norfolk, Virginia.

This oceanside school is perfect for people who love to research and get their hands dirty in experiences that they can’t get elsewhere.

Old Dominion University has been ranked number one for veterans by U.S. News and World Report, another great accolade for this school.

If you are looking for online and in-person classes, you have come to the right place as this school offers both.

Studying at Old Dominion University will come easy to those who want to make the world a better place and have an interest in science and sociology.

The Public Health Bachelors degree seeks students who want to learn through doing and create programs for people who may not have the access to healthcare that is necessary for living a health life.

If this sounds like you, then take a look at some of the things you could learn with a degree in Public Health:

• How to identify and solve ethical Public Health issues
• How information technology can influence decisions
• Public Health research in community settings
• How to analyze and implement different Public Health programs

Students at Old Dominion University are given a well-rounded education in courses that include:

• One Health-One Medicine
• Leadership in Public Health
• Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health
• Epidemiology

You won’t tire of the many things to do at Old Dominion University from internships to research and even work/study programs that can help you pay for your education.

Now that you have graduated after four years, consider it easy to find a great Public Health career in various facilities including the government with roles like:

• Hospital Administrator
• Wellness Programmer
• Emergency Management Director
• Public Health Service Officer

Enrollment

You can choose to enroll for classes on the website by going to the admissions page.

There, you will see that first year freshman, transfer students, and returning students can all apply through the common app.

This way, you’ll be able to apply to several colleges at once.

However, you can also apply just to Old Dominion University on the website.

Either way you choose, it is a quick and easy process that should take no more than thirty minutes of your time.

You’ll need to create an account and log in, and this is a great thing because you will be able to save your progress if you need to leave and come back to your application.

Once you have completed all of the necessary paperwork, you will likely wait about two weeks to hear back from an academic advisor about the status of your application.

From then on, you’ll get acquainted with the school by taking a campus tour, attending orientation, and enrolling in classes.

Fees

Current tuition rates at Old Dominion University are $11,790 per year for Virginia residents and $32,190 per year for out of state learners.

Since it takes four years to complete a degree, the average Virginia resident pays $47,160 for a college degree and people from other states will pay $188,640 to attend Old Dominion University.

Active duty military will pay $25,000 to complete a degree at this school.

Housing and meal plans are not accounted for in these estimates and can be found when speaking to an academic advisor.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students at this university.

Contact Information

• Address: 5115 Hampton Rd. Norfolk, VA 23529
• Phone: 757-683-3000
• Website: www.odu.edu

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2West Virginia University

Just a couple of hours away in West Virginia you’ll find the good ol’ public university by the name of West Virginia University.

Virginia residents will need to move to West Virginia in order to take part in the education here as there are only in-person classes.

The 2,000 acre campus should be enough to entice you into one of the over 200 programs for undergraduates available here.

If that isn’t enough though, the surrounding lush forests and hidden waterfalls might just be what brings you to West Virginia.

With a degree from this school, you will be among some incredible alumni, 26 of which have Rhode scholarships to study at Oxford University overseas.

Those who are interested in the healthcare system and want a better community in West Virginia, Virginia, and beyond, will love the social justice provided by the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Each course is led by professors who are experienced in the field and want to make the world a better place as well.

You’ll take classes that are based in science as well as sociology with courses that include:

• Global Perspectives of Public Health
• Emergency Preparedness
• Public Health Project Management
• Introduction to Health Policy

Expect to find many research opportunities through the Dean’s Ambassadors Program as well as the Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program and even student led research groups.

Every step of the way throughout your degree plan you will have hands-on experience which is exactly what is needed to be successful in Public Health.

Once you graduate and move onto a career in Public Health or healthcare as a whole, you will see many doors open for you just like:

• Community Health Worker
• Emergency Management Director
• Environmental Compliance Inspector
• Health Education Specialist

Enrollment

First year freshman, transfer, international and returning students are all welcome to head to the website to fill out the easy application to enroll at West Virginia University.

You will need to go to the website to fill out the simple application, and also submit a $50 non-refundable application fee.

Once you have done that, you can either contact an academic advisor to take a campus tour or wait to hear back about the status of your application.

It is advised to take a campus tour at some point before you begin classes.

After you have been admitted to the school, you can enroll in classes and set up orientation to get acquainted with all of the amenities at the school.

Fees

Students who are residents of West Virginia pay $9,384 per year to attend this school while out of state students pay $26,568 per year.

Since it takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the average graduate will pay between $39,336 and $106,272 to attend West Virginia University.

Room and board will be an additional $11,618 per year if you plan to use those amenities.

After four years, room and board could add up to an additional $46,472 in total.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students who attend this school.

Contact Information

• Address: PO Box 6201 Morgantown, WV 26506
• Phone: 304-293-0111
• Website: www.wvu.edu

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3Liberty University

If a private Christian school is more your speed, you may be interested in Liberty University located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Here, you can study online, in-person, or even a hybrid of the two in some cases.

While the school is based in Christian faith, you do not need to hold those beliefs in order to attend.

This large campus holds over 45,000 students each year, and if you want a real college experience then definitely consider attending Liberty University.

Over 200 programs are available for undergraduate students, and you can choose from a considerable amount of healthcare programs, including Public Health.

Within the Public Health program, you will have two options to specialize in:

• Health Promotion
• Pre-clinical

Both paths will get you where you want to go within your career in Public Health.

There are several correlating classes to take and many are required in order to graduate, including:

• History of Life
• Foundations of Public Health
• Personal Health
• Environmental Hazards and Response

With good grades and a good standing with the school, you may even be eligible to sit for the Health Education Specialist certification exam during your senior year.

This along with your degree will open many doors for you in the Public Health world, including roles in healthcare such as:

• Healthcare Social Worker
• Global Health Worker
• Nutritionist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Enrollment

If you are thinking about attending Liberty University, there are two options for you.

First, you can choose to enroll online or on campus, each having it’s own benefits.

When applying, you’ll want to choose which degree program that interests you so that you can plan accordingly with classes.

Your application should provide the school with your personal information and shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes to complete.

At Liberty University, the admissions criteria are based on:

• Cumulative GPA from high school or college – 3.15 or above
• GED scores if applicable
• SAT or ACT scores – SAT 1020 or above and ACT 20-27
• Trends of grades
• Essay submission

Along with your application, you will want to submit the following paperwork:

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

If you are going to attend Liberty University as a transfer student, it is required that you provide transcripts from your previous university.

It should take about two weeks to hear back from an academic advisor.

Fees

If you plan to attend the Liberty University on campus you will pay $23,800 per year.

Every Bachelors Degree at the school takes four years to complete, so graduates will pay $95,200 in total

If you plan to take part in room and board amenities, it will be an additional $6,510 to $8,700 per year depending on the plan you choose.

Online students will pay $14,896 per year, for a total of $59,584 after four years of education.

Some other fees that you may incur at Liberty University are:

• Activity/student center fee – $800
• Student health fee – $340
• Books – $1,400
• Supplies – $600

Contact Information

• Address: 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24515
• Phone: 833-260-4274
• Website: www.liberty.edu

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4University of Louisville

To the west you will find the University of Louisville in Kentucky, perfect for Virginia residents who want a little change of pace.

However, at the University of Louisville, you can also receive your degree online and stay home to learn.

The gorgeous urban campus that this public university has to offer is a sight to see, and may be a reason to head straight to Kentucky to fulfill your dreams.

There are so many things to do at the University of Louisville, among those are extracurricular activities, organizations, as well as sororities and fraternities to boot.

You’ll get a kick out of the nightlife here as well, though you should be focused on your education if you plan to study Public Health as a Bachelors degree student.

This should take about four years for you to finish and requires about 120 credit hours of classes like:

• Diversity of Life
• Organic Chemistry
• Public Health
• Social Justice Practice in Public Health

One unique aspect of a degree from the University of Louisville is that you will be able to earn a Masters degree in one year right after completing your Bachelors degree.

You don’t have to do this, and once you complete your Bachelors you can head right on out into the real world and secure a role in Public Health, it is up to you.

Either way, many doors and opportunities will be opened to you once you complete a degree from the University of Louisville.

Take a look at some of the incredible careers you can find yourself in after graduation:

• Community Health Educator
• Case Manager
• Family Services Specialist
• District Wellness Coordinator

Enrollment

If you are looking for a quick online application then the one for the University of Louisville will be perfect for you.

Prospective students don’t even need to submit ACT or SAT scores in order to be considered for enrollment here.

Another great thing about this school is that admission decisions are quick and you won’t waste time worrying about whether you have been accepted or not.

Prospective students will want to fill out their application online and provide a $25 application fee in order to submit their information.

Transfer students can submit transcripts from previous universities and test scores when they apply as well.

Fees

Those who live in Kentucky and Southern Indiana will pay residential tuition of $23,710 per year, which includes room and board.

This adds up to $94,854 upon graduation.

If you do not plan to live or eat on campus, then you will pay $12,324 per year to attend this school.

This adds up to $49,296 for four years of education.

Students who are coming from out of state pay $40,056 per year to attend, and this comes out to a total of $160,224 after four years.

For an additional $28,670 annually you can add on room and board to that cost.

So, out of state students who live and eat on campus will end up paying $114,680 after graduation.

Contact Information

• Address: 110 West Brandeis Ave Louisville, KY 40208
• Phone: 502-852-5555
• Website: www.louisville.edu

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5University of North Carolina-Charlotte

The University of North Carolina in Charlotte is a spectacular southern school with endless possibilities for Virginia residents.

Over 24,000 students attend this school on campus each year, and within the urban research community you’ll find like minded people with all types of interests.

It is important for the University of North Carolina in Charlotte to be a diverse and inclusive campus, so everyone is welcome here.

Founded in the 1940’s, the University of North Carolina in Charlotte is considered a young school but thousands of alumni have made a name for it among the older universities.

Innovative and all encompassing Bachelors degrees are available for a variety of interests from English to math and even healthcare.

If you are looking for a degree with the hopes of helping others once you begin your time in the workforce, look no further than the Public Health Bachelors degree offered on campus.

This four year commitment requires at least a 2.5 GPA before you can begin the specialized courses that will lead you to the career of your dreams.

Along with general education classes, students in the Public Health program will take courses in subjects that include:

• Healthy Lifestyles
• Principles of Biology
• Health Communication
• Public Health Education and Promotion

It is also required that students take on clinical work or work outside of campus to ensure hands-on experience before graduation.

Once you have completed all of the required courses and extra work/study opportunities, you will have access to a plethora of great careers upon graduation.

Graduating from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte will provide you the skills needed to acquire roles in North Carolina and Virginia in areas such as:

• Health Coach
• Community Health Educator
• Health Literacy Program Coordinator
• Community Outreach Coordinator

Enrollment

Head over to the website of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte for the easy application you can do right on the web.

Before beginning your application, you may want to apply to tour the campus so that you know the this school is the right choice for you.

Both first year freshman and transfer students are welcome to apply to the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.

All you will need to do is find the proper application to fill out all the important information needed.

It is required to pay a $75 non-refundable fee in order to submit your application.

Along with that, prospective students will need to provide:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• Essay
• SAT or ACT scores
• Recommendation letter

There are deadlines throughout the year, so make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to enroll.

After applying, it may take a couple of weeks to hear back from the school, but once you’ve been admitted you can start to enroll in classes.

Fees

It costs $23,716 per year for North Carolina residents to attend this school.

This includes the costs of housing and meal plans, so for those who don’t want these additional amenities, the yearly cost is $10,858 yearly.

A degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte takes four years to complete, so the total tuition for North Carolina residents will be between $43,432 and $94,864.

Those who are from out of state but still want to enjoy the education provided by the University of North Carolina in Charlotte will pay $38,770 per year which also includes housing and meal plans.

This total comes out to $155,080 after four years of education.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students at this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223
• Phone: 704-687-8622
• Website: www.charlotte.edu

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6Elon University

Another eventful North Carolina university is Elon University located in Elon, North Carolina.

Instead of a public school you may be more interested in a selective mid-sized private school such as this.

While public school can give you access to great information, a private school education may be more of the individualized attention that you need to thrive.

Students who are from Virginia will need to move to North Carolina to attend this school as there are only in person classes currently.

There are tons of great opportunities at Elon University from organizations and extracurriculars to get involved in.

You may even want to start an internship or work/study program to pay for school while still studying.

Whatever you choose to do will lead you toward the path of success here, especially if you plan to work in the Public Health sector of healthcare.

The Public Health Bachelors degree program offered by Elon University is perfect for those who want to help people in communities who need healthcare.

Students in this program will take on 120 credit hours of relevant courses such as:

• Environmental Communications
• Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy
• Women’s Health Issues
• Healthcare Strategies

Each course is designed to take you one step closer to your dream of working in Public Health.

Along with classroom time, it is required that students take part in internships to get real-world experience from helping others in their communities.

Elon University will help you in attaining incredible careers in Public Health once you have graduated with this prestigious degree.

After completing all of the required classes and internships, it is now time to move onto a life-long career in Public Health which could include a role like:

• Prevention Specialist
• Violence Prevention Program Coordinator
• Infection Preventionist
• Nutrition Services Coordinator

Enrollment

If you are interested in attending Elon University, academic advisors would love if you took a campus tour before enrolling.

This way, you’ll know for sure that you want to attend the school, making it easier for you.

If you can’t attend an in-person tour, there are virtual tours right on the website.

While you’re on the website, take a look at the application page.

Here, you can fill out your personal information and also send in the $60 non-refundable fee that is needed in order to submit your application.

Along with your application, you will need to provide the school with  transcripts from your high school or previous universities.

Once you have completed all of the necessary paperwork, an academic advisor will contact you via email to talk about the next steps in the process.

Fees

At the base rate, students will pay $55,458 per year to attend Elon University.

With a four year education, this adds up to $221,832 upon graduation.

If you plan to utilize room and board, you will likely pay about $78,388 per year to attend this school

This means that you will pay $313,552 once you have completed your Bachelors degree here.

Contact Information

• Address: 100 Campus Dr. Elon, NC 27244
• Phone: 336-278-2000
• Website: www.elon.edu

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7George Washington University

In the nation’s capital, you’ll have the experience to explore all around D.C. if you attend George Washington University.

Named for the first president of the United States, this school has been around since 1821 and there is no stopping it any time soon.

Those who live in Virginia may want to move to D.C. to get the most out of their education, but it is possible to earn a degree online here as well.

One of the many comprehensive and accredited degrees available to earn at George Washington University is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Within this four year degree, students are required to learn through experimenting, research, and classroom time.

Those who want to take part in the healthcare community will enjoy learning in classes such as:

• Epidemiology
• Management of Health Science Services
• Foundations of Health Equity
• Healthcare Law and Regulation

With a small campus, you will get the individualized attention needed to do well in this degree.

Expect to gain access to esteemed roles in Public Health with a degree from George Washington University which could include:

• Public Health Nurse
• Evaluation Specialist
• Intervention Researcher
• Healthcare Policy Analyst

Enrollment

Both traditional undergraduate and non-traditional undergraduate degree programs are available at George Washington University.

Students who want to take part in traditional programs such as first year freshman and transfer students will fill out a specific application while non-traditional students like adult learners will fill out a separate one.

It is easy to fill out the application no matter which one you choose to do, both can be done online and only take about 20 minutes to complete.

Another great step you can take toward your enrollment at George Washington University is to attend a campus tour.

This can also be done online, but there are many ways to do so in person as well.

Along with your application, this school requires that you submit some important information like:

• Essay
• Official transcripts
• ACT or SAT scores
• Letter of recommendation

Once you have completed the above checklist you will be able to check your application status from the website.

An academic advisor will reach out to you with the next steps in the enrollment process, like signing up for classes and extracurriculars.

Fees

Every year that students attend George Washington University they will pay $64,700.

After four years and earning a Bachelors degree, this totals out to $258,800.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for every student at this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 2121 I St. NW Washington, DC 20052
• Phone: 202-994-1000
• Website: www.gwu.edu

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8University of Maryland-College Park

In the northern state of Maryland you’ll be excited to find the University of Maryland in College Park.

The University of Maryland in College Park is the flagship school for the state and one of the premier research facilities as well.

Those who live in Virginia will need to move to Maryland to take part in any programs here as you’ll only have access to in-person learning.

Don’t fret, as there have been countless accomplishments made by students and faculty here, and you could be among one of the 40,000 students to do something great in and out of the state.

Science lovers who want to take part in the world of healthcare can enroll in the Public Health Bachelors degree program at this school.

This four year degree will assign you to classes that can improve your understanding of healthcare as well as disparities within communities.

Along the way, you will learn how to:

• Understand and discuss the history of Public Health
• Use basic health concepts to help patients and individuals
• Demonstrate fundamental Public Health concepts
• Interpret scientific knowledge
• Compare and contrast structures in healthcare programs

If you are still interested, take a look at a few of the classes that you will be required to take in order to graduate:

• Behavioral and Community Issues in Public Health
• Epidemiology for Public Health Practice
• A Public Health Prospective
• Addressing Social and Structural Inequities

Once you decide to take on this program you’ll be required to do internships and other work/study programs in order to gain hands-on experience which is vital for this degree.

After graduation, many doors will open for you in the world of Public Health and beyond in roles such as:

• Diabetes Educator
• Health Literacy Program Coordinator
• Public Health Communication Specialist
• Nutritionist

Enrollment

There is an easy application to fill out on the University of Maryland in College Park website.

Keep in mind that you will need to pay a $75 non-refundable application fee once your application is submitted.

International students, transfer students, and even military active-duty and veterans are welcome to apply to this college.

Along with your application, prospective students will need to provide the following information:

• Essay
• SAT or ACT scores
• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• Letter of recommendation

It should take about a week to hear back with a decision from the school, at which time you’ll be able to pick classes and go forward with orientation.

Fees

Yearly, residents of Maryland who plan to live on campus will pay $30,488 to attend this university.

This price includes books, room and board, and other fees associated with life on campus.

After four years, a residential student who lived on campus will pay a total of $121,952.

Those who don’t come from Maryland but want to live on campus will pay $59,290 a year.

After four years, this comes out to a total of $237,160.

If you are a Maryland resident but plan to live off campus, expect to pay $32,834 per year or $131,336 upon graduation.

If you are not a Maryland resident but will live off campus, you will pay$246,544 after four years, or $63,646 a year.

Contact Information

• Address: College Park, MD 20742
• Phone: 301-405-1000
• Website: www.umd.edu

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9Morgan State University

Our second Maryland based school is Morgan State University located in Baltimore.

This is another 100% in person school, so you will have to move out of state if you are living in Virginia.

This premier public university has been a staple for Maryland since 1867, and with over 140 degree options to choose from you cannot go wrong with this 185 acre campus.

Not only can students fulfill their desire to earn a degree in English, math, or business, but you can also gain access to careers in Public Health with the Bachelors of Public Health available on campus.

The School of Community Health and Policy hosts the Public Health Bachelors degree which is a four year program.

Along with general education classes, students are transfixed by science and sociology courses that pertain to Public Health such as:

• Public Health and Health Disparities
• Community Needs Solutions
• Environmental health Sciences
• Maternal, Child, and Family Health Epidemiology

You will need to have and maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to be considered and to stay in this program.

Once you have completed all of the 120 credit hours with good grades, you can rest assured that a degree from Morgan State University will help you gain access to Public Health career roles like:

• Healthcare Social Worker
• Industrial Hygienist
• Nursing Home Educator
• Substance Abuse Counselor

Enrollment

There are many opportunities for enrollment at Morgan State University.

Prospective students are welcome to look on the website in the admissions tab for the easy online application.

You can even choose to take a campus tour, either online or in person or watch a virtual information session before deciding whether you want to enroll here or not.

First year freshman, transfer, and international students are all welcome to apply to Morgan State University.

While the online application is the easiest and fastest way to apply, you can also submit your application in the mail.

Along with your application, you will want to provide this important information:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• SAT or ACT scores
• Essay
• Counselor recommendation
• Teacher recommendation

After completing all of the necessary paperwork, click submit and you will be on your way to enrolling at this great school.

It may take a couple of weeks to hear back from an academic advisor about the status of your enrollment.

Fees

Maryland residents have a lower tuition price than other state residents at $5,586 per year.

After four years of education, a Maryland resident will pay $22,348 to attend Morgan State University.

Non-residents will pay $16,268 per year and $65,072 after graduation.

Rooms can run between $3,622 and $6,552 per semester depending on the type of room you stay in.

Mean plans run from $250 to $2,755 per semester as well.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students who attend this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1700 East Cold Spring Ln. Baltimore, MD 21251
• Phone: 443-885-3333
• Website: www.morgan.edu

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10Southern New Hampshire University

Some Virginia residents may be looking for a completely online degree to help get them in the door of their dream career.

That is where Southern New Hampshire University will come in handy.

This fully virtual degree is accredited within the state of New Hampshire as well as all 50 states with curriculum in over 100 degree programs.

Though the headquarters are in New Hampshire, you won’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to gain access to the education here.

This is a great option for people who already have careers or families that take up the majority of their time.

In fact, with one class taken at a time, this school is self-paced and individually directed to get the most out of your education.

One of the accredited degrees offered here is in Public Health and will take about four years to complete.

The well-rounded curriculum consists of science, sociology, and psychology based courses such as:

• Statistics for Healthcare Professionals
• Population Health and Cultural Competence
• Evaluation Methods in Public Health
• Biological Concepts for Public Health

Southern New Hampshire University still requires that students taken on an internship even though the school is based online.

This means you’ll get to work within your community to better the lives of individuals with healthcare solutions.

Take all that you have learned in your degree at Southern New Hampshire University and go out into the world confident that you can gain access to roles in Public Health that include:

• Medical Services Manager
• Health Education Specialist
• Community Health Worker
• Youth Outreach Coordinator

Enrollment

There is no application fee to apply to Southern New Hampshire University.

All prospective students need to do is head over to the website and find the admissions tab.

Once there, you can fill out the application which is quick and easy to do.

Along with your application, you will need to submit the following information:

• Transcripts from previous education or high school
• Proof of GED if applicable

The great thing about Southern New Hampshire University is that students can choose their own start date and there are no late application fees.

Fees

It costs $330 per credit hour to attend this school, and annually that comes out to about $9,900 for full time students.

Military students pay a reduced fee of $231 per credit hour for a yearly cost of $6,930.

At Southern New Hampshire State University the average Bachelors degree takes four years to complete, which means tuition can range from $27,720 for military student to $39,600 for civilian students.

Contact Information

• Address: 2500 North River Rd. Manchester, NH 03016
• Phone: 800-915-7648
• Website: www.snhu.edu

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