10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee

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You may be one of the six million Tennessee residents who love the gorgeous Smoky Mountains and the awe inspiring Cumberland Plateau.

Whether you live in Tennessee for the sightseeing, great food, or spectacular natural wonderlands, there is always something new to behold in this great state.

Tennessee residents who are ready to take their education to the next level may be looking for somewhere to learn and discover more about themselves.

This is why we have compiled a list of the ten best schools for Public Health Bachelors degrees in Tennessee as well as the surrounding states.

Both online and on-campus options are available for public and private schools in this region, perfect for Tennessee residents who don’t want to give up their beautiful landscapes to learn.

1Tennessee State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

The first school on our list is the Nashville based Tennessee State University.

Since its founding in 1912, Tennessee State University has been the number one most diverse school in Tennessee, and now it has over 77 majors to choose from.

You will love the 500 gorgeous acres of campus right in the middle of Nashville, with lush green forests and mountains in the distance.

Among the 77 undergraduate majors to choose from, students can partake in the Public Health Bachelors degree.

This four year program will provide knowledge in healthcare, community health and disease prevention to combat all types of negative behaviors both in individuals and populations.

If you are the type of person who loves science and research, then this degree path is right for you.

Along with general education courses, you should expect to take more specialized courses such as:

  • Community Health Informations
  • Global Health
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Health and Wellness

Public Health is an important part of the medical field, so everyone that graduates from this program will be an integral necessity in the healthcare community.

After completing all of the required courses, students will graduate with the ability to procure careers in Public Health like:

  • Public Health Coordinator
  • Global Health Consultant
  • Health Care Social Worker
  • Wellness Programmer

Enrollment

The preferred way to submit your application to Tennessee State University is online through the school’s website.

Prospective students will need to pay a $25 application fee once they have submitted their information.

In order to apply, you will need to create a username and password so that you can come back if you need to fill out more information or if you want to check the status of your application.

You will also need to provide the following information along with your application:

  • Citizenship status
  • High school transcripts or previous education transcripts if transferring
  • Immunization records
  • Housing application

After you have completed all of the above criteria it is important to apply for scholarships and also sign up for new student orientation on the website.

An academic advisor will contact you soon after submitting your application and then you can move on to registering for classes.

Fees

In-state tuition is $8,336 per year for residential students, which comes to $33,344 after graduation.

Students from out of state who study full time at this school will pay $21,692 annually.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, this means it costs $86,768 for an out of state student to attend Tennessee State University.

Contact Information

  • Address: 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN 37209
  • Phone: 615-963-5000
  • Website: www.tnstate.edu

2Middle Tennessee State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

With over 20,000 students admitting each year, Middle Tennessee State University has been named the number one best producer of graduates in the great Tennessee area as well as the top destination for transfer students.

If you are ready to expand your mind and enjoy the fruits of your labor, take a look at all that Middle Tennessee State University has to offer.

There are over 300 plans of study here, including the Public Health Bachelors degree.

This degree path is great for those who want to make the world a better and healthier place to live.

Along with general education courses, students will take on more specialized classes such as:

  • Health and Wellness
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Service Learning in Health Promotion
  • Drugs and Violence

Students will get access to hundreds of internship opportunities will studying the Public Health Bachelors degree, which can be fulfilled on campus, in the city, or through government agencies.

After completing 120 credit hours, which should take about four years, you will be on your way to graduation.

Graduating from Middle Tennessee State University is a great way to get your foot in the door in medical careers across the country, including:

  • Public Health Service Officer
  • Food Safety Inspector
  • Health Care Social Worker
  • Nonprofit Organization Educator

Enrollment

Not only can first year freshman apply to Middle Tennessee State University, but transfer students and international students are welcome to fill out an application as well.

In order to be guaranteed admission here, prospective students will need to have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Along with your application, which you can fill out online, you will need to submit some other important documents such as:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education

International students will need to provide scores from English proficiency exams.

After completing and submitting all of your information, you will likely hear back from the school within two weeks.

At this time, you’ll be able to sign up for classes and orientation to begin your first day.

Fees

Students who are from Tennessee will pay about $9,694 per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Which will be about $38,776 to earn a Bachelors degree.

If you want to live and eat on campus, you’ll pay an extra $11,518 per year.

This adds up to $21,212 per year and $84,848 for the four years it takes to earn a degree.

Out of state students will pay $29,858 per year to attend and that does not include room and board.

With these amenities, out of state students will pay $50,032 per year.

This means that students will pay between $119,432 and $200,128 to attend this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1301 East. Main St. Murfreesboro, TN 37132
  • Phone: 615-898-2300
  • Website: www.mtsu.edu

3Christian Brothers University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

Those who want a rigorous learning environment that will allow you to grow personally and professionally will enjoy the academic at Christian Brothers University.

Right in the middle of Memphis, you’ll find this wonderful close-knit school with small class sizes and big dreams.

This private school is home to about 1,700 students per year, which is great for those who want a small town feel along with their big education.

Though Christian Brothers University is considered a Catholic school, students from all walks of life are welcome to take part in any of the 100 programs offered here.

Among those 100 is the Public Health Bachelors degree, which is provided by the School of Sciences right on campus.

This degree program will last about four years and complete a ton of classes that provide scientific and evidence-based education, including courses like:

  • Biology
  • Global Health
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Population Health Nursing

You will love the state of the art lab equipment and research opportunities provided by the school.

After four years you will be able to don that cap and gown to walk across the stage and get your degree.

That degree can give you access to hundreds of Public Health and healthcare careers such as:

  • Contact Tracer
  • Drug Trial Specialist
  • Data Scientist
  • Global Health Worker

Enrollment

Christian Brothers University makes it easy to apply with their online application process.

What’s even better is that right now you can apply for free.

All you will need to do is head over to the website to start filling out your information.

You will need to create an account to begin, but once you’ve done that it should only take about twenty to thirty minutes to complete the application.

Along with your application, you will want to submit your transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

Click submit and you will hear back from an academic advisor at the school in about two weeks.

After being accepted, you will want to sign up for a campus tour, orientation, and enroll in the classes that will make your degree a successful experience.

Fees

Per year, students at Christian Brothers University will pay $37,300 to attend.

It does take about four years to complete a degree from Christian Brothers University, so the average graduate pays $149,200 in base tuition costs.

Room and board is a separate charge and will add between $4,570 to $7,250 per semester to the tuition fees.

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

Contact Information

  • Address: 650 East Parkway South Memphis, TN 38104
  • Phone: 901-321-3000
  • Website: www.cbu.edu

4Baptist Health Sciences University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

This Christian based college located in Memphis, Tennessee is dedicated to healthcare and careers in the medical field.

Baptist Health Sciences University is solely for students who want to enroll in medical careers once they have graduated.

If the Christian tag bothers you because you are not of that faith, don’t worry, as you don’t need to be of any specific faith or belief system in order to apply.

One of the few medical degrees that are available at this school is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Within this degree, students learn how to help conquer health issues in communities as well as individually.

A Public Health degree from Baptist Health Sciences University will teach students how to:

  • Reduce disparity
  • Improve health outcomes
  • Ensure safety
  • Promote wellness

These skills can be taught through courses in science, sociology, and psychology such as:

  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Sociology
  • Public Health Education and Promotion
  • Research for Health Professionals

Completing all the courses will lead you to your senior year where you will partake in an internship to help with hands-on experience once you have graduated.

In four short years you will be on your way to earning that degree you have strived for, and completion of all requirements will help you gain access to careers like:

  • Health Literacy Program Coordinator
  • Education Director
  • Health Information Specialist
  • Epidemiologist

Enrollment

The best way to begin your enrollment experience for Baptist Health Sciences University is to head to the website.

There, you will find a tab labeled admissions, where you can start your journey.

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

Before you begin your application, you may want to request a campus tour so that you can make sure that the campus is the right fit for you.

If you have already decided that Baptist Health Sciences University is the school for you, you will need to fill out your personal information.

This should take about thirty minutes, and you will want to include some important documents, such as:

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

If you have a GED, it is important to include that along with your application.

Once you have submitted all of the required paperwork, you will likely wait about two weeks before an academic advisor will get back to you about the status of your application.

Fees

Each year, students from Baptist Health Sciences University will pay $19,500 to earn their degree.

It takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, so the total tuition costs for Baptist Health Sciences University is $78,000.

Housing and meal plans are not included in these costs, as the prices vary widely and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

Other expenses that may occur throughout your time at Baptist Health Sciences University include:

  • Books – $1,000
  • CPR – $100
  • Activity fee – $150

Contact Information

  • Address: 1003 Monroe Ave. Memphis, TN 38104
  • Phone: 866-575-2247
  • Website: www.baptistu.edu

5East Tennessee State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

Johnson City Tennessee is home to East Tennessee State University and if you don’t want a lot of student debt, this school is perfect for you.

Since its creation in 1911, this public university has been a great spot for students who want to pursue all types of degrees.

About 10,000 students per year roam this 360 acre campus in search of education and fulfillment, which can be done through Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees, and even Doctorates.

One of the many Bachelors degrees offered at East Tennessee State University is the Public Health degree, which will take about four years to finish.

It takes 120 credit hours to complete a degree at East Tennessee State University, and students who want to partake in the Public Health Bachelors degree program will need to maintain a C average as well.

Along with general education classes, students will participate in classroom and lab time in courses such as:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • First-Aid and Emergency Care
  • Behavior Change Theory for Public Health
  • Personal and Community Wellness

After completing all of the required courses, students will need to take an efficiency exam to ensure they have all the knowledge needed to begin a career in Public Health.

Graduation will come quick for students on this degree path, and once you have become an alumni of East Tennessee State University, your world will open up with careers like:

  • Family Services Specialist
  • District Wellness Coordinator
  • Youth Outreach Coordinator
  • Corporate Trainer

Enrollment

No matter if this is your first time entering college or if you have started your degree at another school, you are welcome to apply to East Tennessee State University.

Before you apply, you may want to think about completing a campus tour to make sure that this is the right school of your needs.

If you have already decided on East Tennessee State University, head to the website to begin your application.

Everything can be done right online and shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes to finish.

You will need to create an account to begin, but this is easy and then you’ll be able to save your progress.

The application will require some personal information as well as transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

After submitting all of your information, you will likely have to wait about a week or two to hear back from the school about the status of your acceptance.

Once you have been accepted, you’ll want to sign up for orientation and begin enrolling in classes.

Fees

Students from Tennessee who will not live on campus will pay $9,950 per year in tuition.

Those who are from Tennessee but will live on campus will pay $28,500 per year.

If you are from another state, you are welcome to attend East Tennessee State University, but will need to pay a tuition fee of $10,790 to not live on campus and $29,340 to use room and board.

Since it takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, in-state students will pay between $39,800 and $114,000.

Out of state students will pay between $43,160 and $117,360 to finish a Bachelors degree at East Tennessee State University.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students regardless of residency.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1276 Gilbreath Dr. Johnson City, TN 37614
  • Phone: 423-439-1000
  • Website: www.etsu.edu

6University of Tennessee

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online

The University of Tennessee is one of the oldest schools in the state, with research as a large backdrop to the education here.

You will find thousands of great things to get your hands on at the University of Tennessee, no matter what major you plan to discover.

It is true that you can study on campus here, but there are also opportunities for students to take online classes as well.

This is perfect for those people who have full time jobs or families that they need to take care of while studying.

No matter which type of education you choose, you will receive a forward thinking curriculum at the University of Tennessee.

Science lovers and healthcare minded people will enjoy the Public Health Bachelors degree provided by this school.

You will have access to hands-on experiences as well as classroom time in courses that include:

  • Global Public Health
  • Comparative Healthcare Systems
  • Public Health Aspects of Aging
  • Health of Adolescents

During your senior year, after you have completed the majority of the 120 credit hours necessary for graduation, you will take on an internship that will lead you to a career.

This four year program will provide all the necessary education you need to procure a role in healthcare such as:

  • Health Information Specialist
  • Family Services Specialist
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • School Health Educator

Enrollment

All types of students are welcome to submit their application at the University of Tennessee.

Whether you are a first year freshman, transfer student, international learner, or even military, this school is delighted to have you.

Before you commit to this school, the University of Tennessee would like you to attend a campus tour to make sure that it is the right fit for your needs.

Once you have decided on attending this university, head on over to the website to fill out the simple application.

It will only take about thirty minutes to complete and does require that you pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.

You will also need to provide some important information along with your application, such as:

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

Before you are accepted to the school, the academic advisors will look at the following criteria to be sure that you are a good fit for the school, including:

  • Extracurricular and leadership activities
  • Awards
  • Special talents or skills
  • Rigor of high school curriculum
  • Standardized test scores

Check back on the website to see if you have been accepted to the school, you can also check your email for any updates from faculty.

Fees

Attending a full year at the University of Tennessee for residential students is $12,844.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the total amount of tuition upon graduation from Tennessee residents is $51,376.

If you plan to attend the University of Tennessee and you are from another state, you will be required to pay $35,844 per year to attend.

Which means you should expect to pay $143,376 once you have graduated from this university.

Room and board is not applied to these numbers, if you are interested in this information please contact the school at your convenience.

Contact Information

  • Address: Knoxville, TN 37996
  • Phone: 865-974-1000
  • Website: www.utk.edu

7University of Louisville

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

Heading north to Kentucky, you will find the University of Louisville which will provide access to both online and in person education for Tennessee residents.

This urban public school is located right in the middle of bustling Louisville, Kentucky, perfect for people who want a fast paced lifestyle.

There are over 200 degree programs available here, which is great for all types of interests.

Those who want to enroll in a healthcare program and have a desire to help others will want to proceed in the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

Students in this program will need to take out four years to complete all of the classes required for their degree.

Along with general education classes, students will get the chance to learn in courses based in science like:

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

It is also possible to earn a Masters degree in one year right after completing a Bachelors degree at the University of Louisville.

A Bachelors degree from the University of Louisville will open many doors for incredible careers such as:

  • 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


8University of Southern Mississippi

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

If you would rather head south, you’ll find the University of Southern Mississippi located in Hattiesburg.

Since 1910, this sprawling campus has been a beautiful accessory to life in Mississippi, but Tennessee residents can take part in the education system here without even leaving the state.

That’s right, there are online opportunities for students of all states and countries for hundreds of degree programs here.

Science and healthcare interested students will get a kick out of the Public Health Bachelors degree here, which is a four year program.

You’ll find incredible opportunities with internships in the Public Health program, well over 100 chances each year to participate.

The University of Southern Mississippi boasts a 98% approval rating for students of the Public Health program, which means you learn exactly what you need to know in this program and much more.

Take a look at several of the classes that you will need to take in order to graduate from this college:

  • Ethics and Good Living
  • Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Man
  • Behavioral Interventions
  • Workplace Health Promotion

It is required to complete 120 credit hours of classes, which will also include general education courses that are used to expand your mind.

Completing all of these classes and internships will grant you access to incredible and necessary Public Health careers like:

  • Integrative Health Practitioner
  • Worksite Safety Coordinator
  • Education Director
  • Health Promotion Programmer

Enrollment

Whether you are a first year freshman, transfer student, international, military or even an honors student, you are welcome to enroll at the University of Southern Mississippi.

It also doesn’t matter if you are from Mississippi or looking for a change of pace from another state, the university is looking forward to meeting you.

Consider heading to the website to fill out the simple application if you are interested in enrolling.

There are admission deadlines throughout the year, so you will want to keep up with them to make sure you get yours in on time.

For anyone applying, there is a $45 non-refundable fee that can be paid before submitting your application.

Not only that, but prospective students will be required to submit some information like:

  • Official high school transcript or previous university transcript
  • SAT or ACT scores (freshman applicants only)
  • Immunization records

It will take about two weeks to hear back on the decision from an academic advisor, but you can also check on the website to see if an update has been added to your account.

Fees

If you are from the state of Mississippi and plan to attend the University of Southern Mississippi full time, you will pay about $4,670 per semester.

In total, students from Mississippi will pay $37,360 once they have completed four years of school.

If you are from out of state or another country you will pay $5,670 per semester.

Which adds up to $45,360 upon completion of your Bachelors degree.

Depending on the type of housing on campus, students can pay between $1,850 and $3,712 per semester.

Meal plans are also available for students at a range of $2,225 and $2,350 per semester.

Contact Information

  • Address: 118 College Dr. Hattiesburg, MS 39406
  • Phone: 601-266-1000
  • Website: www.usm.edu

9Tennessee Wesleyan University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

In the center of Athens, Tennessee you will find Tennessee Wesleyan University, a private institution that has been around for over 100 years.

On campus, students have the option to take part in one of thirty career-guided degree programs that will lead them toward the goal of becoming employed.

This tiny campus offers big education for students from all 50 states and even out of the country.

You could be among one of the few who succeed academically here at Tennessee Wesleyan University through the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

In this program, students will develop knowledge and skills through classroom experience as well as labs and research opportunities.

When taking on the Public Health Bachelors degree program, students will be invited to take part in science and evidence-based courses such as:

  • Bioethics
  • Global Health
  • Health and Aging
  • Health Promotion

Each course is designed to take you one step closer to the career of your dreams, and this can all be done within 120 credit hours of learning.

Those who graduate with good grades and hands-on experience will gain access to hundreds of incredible careers in Public Health and healthcare as a whole, including roles like:

  • Alcohol Educator
  • Community Health Educator
  • Program Research Coordinator
  • Diabetes Educator

Enrollment

The enrollment process at Tennessee Wesleyan University is fairly simple and shouldn’t take more than a half an hour if you have all the required paperwork ready to go.

In order to be eligible for enrollment at this school, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least a 2.25 GPA
  • Have a score of 18 on the ACT
  • Have a 950 score on the SAT

If this sounds like you, then you can head on over to the next step in the process, which is submitting the following information:

  • High school transcript or previous university transcript
  • SAT or ACT scores

Once you have completed the above requirements, the college would love if you set up a tour to see if it is a good fit for your needs.

It will take about two weeks to hear back from the school about your enrollment status.

If you have been accepted, then an academic advisor will contact you to work together on finding the best courses for your major.

Fees

If you plan to attend Tennessee Wesleyan University full time, then your tuition will be $27,350 per year.

After four years of school, the total amount you will pay upon graduation would be $109,400.

Students who plan to live on campus will need to add an additional $10,440 per semester to that total.

Commuters will also pay about $40 per meal plan, but students who live on campus will eat for free.

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

Contact Information

  • Address: 204 East College St. Athens, TN 37303
  • Phone: 423-745-7504
  • Website: www.tnwesleyan.edu

10Athens State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

South of Tennessee in Alabama you’ll discover a wonderful on-campus and online education from Athens State University.

In order to enroll here, you will need 15 hours of transferable credits, which means you’ll likely need to start school elsewhere before attending.

Students from Tennessee can stay home and enjoy the experience online or head to the campus to see what the in-person experience is all about.

Either way, you’ll have a great choice of programs to decide where you want to go with your future, including the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Throughout this four year venture, you will gain knowledge in epidemiology, preventative medicine, health policies and behind the scenes of the American healthcare system.

If making the world a better place is your top priority, you will do great in the Public Health Bachelors degree program, especially when you get to enjoy classes such as:

  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Sociology of Health and Illness
  • Survey of Human Disease
  • Global Health

In order to graduate, seniors will need to take on a senior project that will showcase how much they have learned throughout their time studying at Athens State University.

Completing 124 credit hours will provide you the education necessary to move on to an integral role in Public Health and healthcare as a whole with careers like:

  • Prevention Specialist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Violence Prevention Program Coordinator
  • Nutrition Services Coordinator

Enrollment

Enrolling at Athens State University is easy for incoming freshman, transfer students, and even international and military prospective enrollees.

The only requirements to enroll at this school are that you have:

  • At least 36 transferable credit hours from an accredited institution if you are transferring
  • Possess a minimum of 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • A minimum of 15 general education credit hours from previous institutions

If you have all of the above requested criteria, then all you will need to do is head over to the website and fill out your information.

The school will need your name, address, and other identifiable information in order to assess your identity.

Once you have filled all of this out, it may take a couple of weeks to hear back on whether you have been accepted or not.

Fees

If you plan to attend Athens University are you are from Alabama, then you will pay $241 per credit hour for both online and in-person learning.

Out of state students will pay $482 per credit hour.

Since most semesters require between 15 and 19 credit hours, it will cost about $8,194 per year to attend Athens State University for in state students.

Out of state students will pay about $16,388 per year to attend Athens State University.

Most Bachelors degrees take about four years to complete, which means students from Alabama will end up paying $32,776 after graduation.

Out of state learners will pay $65,552 once they have completed the required credit hours for graduation.

Contact Information


Final Thoughts

Tennessee has a multitude of deserving schools, from online to in-person, and you will be happy with any one that you pick.

We hope that this list of ten of the best schools for Public Health Bachelors degrees has helped narrow down your options with it comes to finding the right education.

Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at BecomeopediaHi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.