Which is better for public health: Arizona State University or George Washington University?

George Washington University is the stronger pick for public health overall. Its Milken Institute School of Public Health is one of the most established and visible public health schools in the country, and being in Washington, DC puts students close to federal agencies, major hospitals, nonprofits, and policy organizations that shape the field. That combination matters a lot in public health, where internships, policy exposure, and applied research are a big part of building a foundation.

The biggest difference is program identity. At GW, public health is a major institutional strength, not just one good option among many. The school has broad offerings across areas like epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and global health, so students usually have more direct access to specialized coursework, faculty, and field connections tied specifically to public health.

Location is another major advantage. In DC, public health students are near places like the NIH, HHS, CDC offices, advocacy groups, international health organizations, and public policy networks. That makes it easier to find internships during the school year, not just in the summer, and those experiences can shape both graduate school applications and early career opportunities.

Arizona State is still a solid option, especially if you value its size, flexibility, and strong innovation culture. ASU offers meaningful public health opportunities and can be a very good choice, but in an overall comparison focused specifically on the strength of the public health program itself, GW has the clearer edge.