Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of self-designed indicator system for evaluation of schools of public health in China, and investigate the current development status of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health. Methods Six second-grade evaluation indicators were selected from the self-designed evaluation system for schools of public health in China, and two times of ranking were carried out among 12 domestic schools of public health including Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health. The differences between Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health and the other schools of public health were especially analysed. Comparison was made on the published data among 10 schools of public health for the first time of ranking, and comparison was made on the data of 2011 provided by each school among 5 schools of public health for the second time of ranking. The current development status of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health was analysed with SWOT method. Results Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health ranked seventh and third respectively in the first time and second time of ranking. Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health enjoyed priority in “introduction of advanced talents” and “employment rate of undergraduates”, but lagged behind in “percentage of professors and associate professors” and “percentage of faculties with doctor´s degree”. Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health gained more support from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Shanghai government, while also faced increasing competition with the other schools of public health. Conclusion The selfdesigned evaluation system for schools of public health in China has definite feasibility and effectiveness, which is able to reflect and assess the actual development level of schools of public health in China. Compared with the prominent domestic schools of public heath, there is room for improvement for Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health. Effective measures should be taken to strengthen the development of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Public Health both comprehensively and specifically.