The University of Georgia College of Public Health is rising in the rankings. 

In an impressive climb for 2026, the college rose 12 spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking for Best Public Health Schools. This increase recognizes the college’s growing program offerings, strong research funding, high career placement rate following graduation and commitment to the university’s public land grant mission. 

The College of Public Health is also the No. 1 public program of public health in the state of Georgia and a Top 20 public program overall. 

“This updated ranking is an exciting opportunity to highlight what we’ve always prioritized here at the UGA College of Public Health — we are dedicated to improving the public’s health, transforming the way public health is taught and practiced, and working alongside communities to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Dean Marsha Davis. 

To best meet the needs of the nation, the state and local communities, the college continues to mindfully expand and enhance its program offerings. Through undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, the college is educating highly-skilled public health professionals ready to address health in Georgia’s communities and across the globe. 

In the last few years, this included establishing:  

• An online Master of Public Health program, which provides greater flexibility for working professionals looking to continue their public health education. 

• The Health Services Research and Policy doctoral program, which is designed to meet a critical need in health care policy and analysis, addressing the growing demand for experts who can utilize big data to improve health care systems.  

• A Master of Health Administration program, which received its full four-year accreditation from CAHME in 2025. The MHA program was also ranked No. 39 among all Health Care Management Programs, tying for the No. 1 spot in Georgia.

• A new global health concentration for the on-campus Master of Public Health, preparing students to tackle public health challenges at home and abroad. 

Students are also able to complete Double Dawgs programs, allowing them to earn a Master of Public Health alongside more than 20 unique bachelor’s degrees. In this way, students receive professional public health training across a wide variety of disciplines, said Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Georgia Power Professor of Environmental Health. 

“UGA College of Public Health has a long history of preparing students at all levels for careers in public health and the many fields where public health plays a role,” Lipp said. “The fundamental skills and ways of thinking that CPH students learn provide a baseline for creative, innovative and impactful work to help improve human well-being. Our students are working across sectors to address critical issues affecting the health of all.”   

In addition to making a difference in the lives of students, college faculty are also expanding knowledge through their impactful research. Whether investigating risk factors for cognitive decline, improving e-bike safety or farmer mental health, UGA College of Public Health research breaks down silos to expand knowledge and cross-disciplinary partnership. 

Researchers continue to utilize leading edge tools, including AI, to improve patient care and compliance and develop new models for understanding mental health. 

From university-level grants to federal funding, the college also maintains strong support for its research endeavors, with more than $15 million in sponsored funding for FY 2025. Faculty also support and mentor students in research, providing hands-on opportunities to conduct interviews, collect data, publish studies and attend conferences. 

“The UGA College of Public Health remains steadfast in its commitment to not only advancing knowledge and practice through research, but to preparing the next generation of researchers,” said Associate Dean for Research and Interim Director of the Institute for Disaster Management Charles Easley. “Supported by a strong and consistent foundation of research funding, we are able to maintain the momentum of our vital programs and continue delivering innovative solutions to complex public health issues.” 

The college also continues its commitment to Georgia’s communities, as exemplified by its outreach projects, research institutes and more.  

• Georgia MIND, a newly established program, engages communities in disease prevention while building longitudinal data to guide solutions. 

• The CARE Center addresses Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by improving early detection, supporting caregivers, and advancing community-based strategies across the state. 

• Certified Nursing Assistant training programs has strengthened the care offered in the southeast, educating more than 9,000 nursing assistants in the communities that need them most. 

• Through CDC-supported efforts, the college partners with UGA Extension, the College of Environment and Design and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to expand access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. 

“We have seen exciting growth over the last several years, and I look forward to seeing our continued success and impact in the future,” said Davis.