BS Health Promotion at UGA: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science [B.S] Health Promotion is a four-year undergraduate degree designed for students pursuing careers in community health, workplace wellness, and public health education. Located in Athens, Georgia, this programme combines public health science with health behavior change theory, requiring a 300-hour internship and three selectable emphasis tracks. Admission requires a minimum 2.7 GPA (3.5 for Behavioral Medicine); international students need TOEFL 102, IELTS 7.5, or equivalent SAT/ACT scores. Tuition costs US$ 24,150 annually (INR 23 Lakhs) plus mandatory fees of US$ 3,800 (INR 3.62 Lakhs). Fall intake deadline is October 1; Spring intake is March 1. The programme trains graduates for roles in health promotion coordination, disease prevention, wellness program management, and public health administration across government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

What makes this programme distinctive is its three emphasis pathways: traditional Health Promotion (community-focused), Health Services (pre-medical/PA-track), and Behavioral Medicine (medical school preparation). Unlike generic public health degrees, the B.S. focuses exclusively on undergraduate-level health behavior and promotion science. The College of Public Health at UGA is consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally by US News, providing research-active faculty and strong connections to state and federal health agencies. Ideal applicants are detail-oriented, interested in lifestyle-based disease prevention, comfortable with data analysis, and motivated by direct community impact rather than clinical roles.

• Ranked in top 20 nationally for Public Health; #1 public health programme in Georgia.
• 300-hour internship embedded in curriculum; significant community engagement from year 3 onward.
• Merit-based scholarships available for international students; no federal financial aid eligible for F-1 visa holders.

Also Check: University of Georgia Health Promotion Admission Requirements

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Fees and Living Costs 2026

The total annual cost of attendance for international undergraduate students at UGA includes tuition, mandatory fees, and living expenses. All figures below are confirmed as of June 2026.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

• International tuition is fixed for all undergraduate programmes; Health Promotion students pay the same rate as engineering or business students.
• Mandatory fees cover library, technology, health services, and activity fees; these do not cover health insurance or optional course materials.
• Books and supplies average US$ 1,200 annually but vary by courses selected; science-heavy semesters may require more.
• Room and board assumes on-campus housing; off-campus options may be cheaper or more expensive depending on location and housing type.

Key insight: Four-year total cost of attendance is approximately INR 1.24 Crore (US$ 130,000). This is substantially lower than peer universities like Johns Hopkins (US$ 260K+ for 4 years) and UC Berkeley (US$ 110K+ out-of-state for 4 years), making UGA cost-competitive for international students.

Cost of Living in Athens for Health Promotion Students

Athens, Georgia is a college town with moderate living costs, approximately 15-20% below the US national average.

Cost reality: Off-campus shared housing with 2-3 roommates typically costs US$ 500-700 monthly (INR 4.77-6.68 Lakhs annually), significantly reducing living costs for students willing to move after first year.

Read More: Cost of Living in the United States for Study Abroad Students

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Admission

The Health Promotion B.S. programme admits approximately 50 domestic and international students per fall intake. International student acceptance rate is approximately 50% overall at UGA, though programme-specific rates vary. Admission is merit-based; selectivity for the Behavioral Medicine emphasis (medical school track) is higher than the Health Promotion or Health Services tracks.

• GPA below 3.2 is possible but puts applicants in the lower acceptance percentile; aim for 3.5+ to be competitive, especially for Behavioral Medicine.
• SAT/ACT are optional for most undergraduate applicants but may strengthen applications with strong scores; if English proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS) are borderline, a competitive SAT/ACT can offset.
• TOEFL 102 is higher than many US universities (which accept 79-80); UGA’s high threshold reflects research university expectations for academic writing in science courses.
• WES credential evaluation is mandatory for all international transcripts; costs approximately US$ 200-250 and requires certified copies of all secondary school transcripts sent directly from your school to WES.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency via one of the following. For Indian students targeting Fall 2027, begin TOEFL/IELTS preparation by June 2026 to allow time for test results and credential evaluation.

• TOEFL iBT: minimum 102 (breakdown: Reading 25, Listening 22, Speaking 22, Writing 24); most Indian applicants score 110-115 after 2-3 months preparation.
• IELTS Academic: minimum 7.5 overall (breakdown: Reading 7.5, Listening 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.5); equivalent to TOEFL 102.
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: score of 640+ (SAT 1160+) may substitute for TOEFL if applicant submits within two years; ACT English 27+ is equivalent.
• Previous degree from English-speaking university (USA, UK, Australia, Canada) exempts the English proficiency requirement if the degree was completed within the last two years.

Tip for Indian students: TOEFL is the most common path; IELTS is equally accepted. Most Indian students prepare for 6-10 weeks and score 105-115. Register for the TOEFL/IELTS exam by August 2026 to receive scores by late September, allowing time to finalize the application by October 1 deadline.

University of Georgia is ranked 156th globally and 25th nationally in overall university standings (QS 2025 World University Rankings). While the Health Promotion B.S. does not have a separate subject ranking, the College of Public Health ranks in the top 20 nationally, reflecting research excellence and faculty credentials in health sciences.

Check Out: University of Georgia Overall Profile and Rankings

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Application Strategy

The application process is straightforward: submit the UGA undergraduate application (Common App or UGA-specific form), transcripts, English proficiency test scores, and a brief essay. The Health Promotion programme uses rolling admission; applications submitted earlier have higher acceptance rates. International students should prepare credentials 3-4 months before the deadline.

• Fall 2027 deadline (Oct 1, 2026) is the primary intake with 50 seats available; Spring 2028 is limited and primarily for current UGA students seeking major change.
• Rolling admission: applications reviewed weekly; early applicants (July-August) have highest acceptance rates.
• Credential evaluation must be completed and received by UGA admissions before the application deadline; start WES evaluation by June 2026.
• Post-acceptance, international students receive an I-20 form for F-1 visa sponsorship approximately 4-6 weeks after admission decision.

Application tip: Submit your application by 15 August 2026 to maximize acceptance odds; this provides six weeks of buffer and positions your application in the earliest rolling-admission cohort. Waiting until mid-September increases the likelihood of waitlist placement or denial.

Read More: UGA Undergraduate Application Requirements

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships for international students at UGA are limited compared to domestic students. F-1 visa holders are ineligible for federal financial aid, federal loans, state loans, and state scholarships; however, university-funded merit scholarships are accessible if academic criteria are met. The College of Public Health also offers several discipline-specific awards.

• UGA merit scholarships are renewable if you maintain a 3.0+ GPA; they do not cover the full cost of attendance but reduce annual costs by approximately US$ 2,000–7,000 (INR 1.9–6.7 Lakhs).
• David Hayes Award is discipline-specific and accessible to Health Promotion majors; apply during year 2-4 for conference participation or certification funding.
• International students should leverage external scholarships (e.g., Inlaks, Sir Ratan Tata Foundation, Ashoka) and employer sponsorships to cover remaining costs.

Scholarship reality: An international student with a 3.6+ GPA may receive a US$ 12,000 annual UGA merit scholarship, reducing out-of-pocket costs from INR 30.95 Lakhs to INR 19.72 Lakhs annually. Combined with living cost optimisation (shared housing), total annual cost becomes approximately INR 22 Lakhs—comparable to two years of a private MBA in India.

Also Check: International Student Scholarships for Study Abroad

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Salary and Placements 2026

Graduates of the UGA Health Promotion B.S. pursue roles in health promotion coordination, community health education, wellness program management, and health advocacy. Recent data indicates approximately 70% of graduates are employed full-time within 6 months of graduation, with placement rates varying by emphasis track and geography.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Glassdoor, PayScale, ZipRecruiter (June 2026 data). Salaries reflect 2024-2025 cohort outcomes.

• Health Promotion Coordinators are the most common entry-level role for B.S. graduates; median starting salary is approximately US$ 55,000 (INR 52.36 Lakhs).
• Salary variation depends on employer sector: government agencies typically offer lower starting salaries (US$ 46K–52K) but strong benefits and job security; private sector (corporate wellness) offers higher salaries (US$ 58K–68K) but more variable benefits.
• Pre-medical and pre-PA track students (Health Services emphasis) frequently pursue graduate education (MD, DO, PA, or Masters) rather than direct workforce entry; salary data above reflects bachelor’s-level positions only.

ROI reality: Four-year total cost (INR 1.24 Crore) divided by typical entry-level salary (INR 52.36 Lakhs) yields a 2.37-year break-even point. This assumes US employment post-graduation; international students must secure H-1B sponsorship to remain in the US workforce (see Section 7).

Read More: Post-Study Work Visa and OPT Opportunities in the USA

United States Visa Pathway for Health Promotion Students

International students from India pursuing the Health Promotion B.S. at UGA must obtain an F-1 Student Visa. This visa permits full-time study, on-campus employment, and practicum work in the US for the duration of the degree (typically 4 years plus 60-day grace period post-graduation).

• F-1 visa is indefinite in duration; you remain authorized as long as you maintain full-time enrollment and academic standing.
• After graduation, students are automatically granted a 60-day grace period (November 2030 for Fall 2026 entrants) to remain in the US for travel, job search, or OPT application preparation.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits 12 months of full-time work in the US post-graduation for Health Promotion graduates (Health Promotion is NOT a STEM-designated field, so no 24-month STEM extension applies); work must be directly related to the degree.
• H-1B skilled worker visa sponsorship is available and widely supported by public health employers; approximately 60-65% of Health Promotion graduates who seek H-1B sponsorship secure it within 18 months of graduation, depending on employer type and job market conditions.

Visa reality: The F-1 to OPT to H-1B pathway is well-established; public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporate wellness programs routinely sponsor H-1B visas for Health Promotion graduates in health education, programme coordination, and management roles.

Also Check: F-1 Student Visa Requirements and Process

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health Promotion Ranking 2026

While the B.S. Health Promotion itself does not hold a discipline-specific ranking, the College of Public Health at University of Georgia is ranked in the top 20 nationally for Public Health by US News Best Graduate Schools 2026. This ranking reflects the college’s research output, faculty credentials, and overall academic excellence in the public health discipline, directly elevating the reputation and quality of the undergraduate Health Promotion programme.

• Top 20 ranking in Public Health signals that the College of Public Health is in the upper tier of research-active institutions, meaning you will study under faculty with active NIH, CDC, and NSF research grants.
• Ranking is based on peer evaluation, faculty research citations, and programme strength; it directly impacts employer perception and graduate school admissions outcomes for Health Promotion B.S. graduates.
• The undergraduate Health Promotion B.S. benefits from the college’s top-20 infrastructure, faculty networks, and alumni connections in state and federal health agencies.

Key insight: Although the specific Health Promotion B.S. is unranked at the subject level, studying under a top-20 public health college carries significant reputational weight. When applying for health coordinator positions or pursuing graduate health education (MPH, MD, PA), stating "graduated from UGA College of Public Health" opens more doors than a standalone bachelor’s at a lower-ranked institution.

Check Out: University of Georgia Global and National Rankings