Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

Related Areas of Study

What is Public Health?

Public health is the study of healthcare as it relates to populations, particularly how a given factor may affect overall public health, such as environmental concerns or disease. A degree in public health prepares students for a career in the various aspects of public health, including research, policy, education and management. Individuals will seek employment at agencies or businesses that deal with public policy regarding health.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$70,820

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

47.67%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

5800

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Public Health Degree

Harvard University is a top higher education institution and a member of the Ivy League. This is a private research university with a high reputation in the liberal arts community.  When it comes to public health degrees, its programs include a master’s degree which provides a subject-specific specialization, extensive knowledge as well as trains in specialized skills. The program is eligible for doctors, any public health professionals, and even newbies in the field of public health. There are general degree formats and several options for specific research fields.

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Yale University, a member of the Ivy League, was established to train leaders and ministers. It was established by 10 alumni of Harvard University to maintain its Puritan standards.

Its Master of Public Health program is designed for students who are motivated, have work experience, professional degrees or are interested in public health. This is a community planning activity based on laboratory research that provides students with many opportunities to help them define their majors and custom learning courses. Students must also work with their advisors to choose the right course and determine their own thesis and internship opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Columbia University is one of the top five universities in the United States. It is also a member of the Ivy League and the first university in the United States to award a doctor of medicine.

Nine years ago, Columbia University launched the Master of Public Health program through its Melman School of Public Health, which provided a new standard for public health education. Its MPH program is the product of a large amount of money and effort invested by the school, involving more than 150 faculty, staff, alumni, students and employers. The new curriculum is a source of extensive system understanding, leadership training and critical thinking skills.

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Brown University offers a wide variety of programs to assist students in their development and growth. A member of the Ivy League, it is a private school with cutting-edge facilities and faculty. 

Its School of Public Health trains students to become the next leaders in public health through research and education. It enhances the awareness of urgent health issues and improves the health of the people and the well-being of everyone. The program teaches vital public health skills to qualified students via a world-class curriculum offered at Brown University. 

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Stanford University was the first university to revolutionize biomedical sciences. It has a long tradition of leadership in medicine, research, clinical therapies and innovative guidance.  Stanford University does not offer an on-site master's degree in Public Health.  It encourages students to receive postgraduate level training or training in public health to supplement their medical education. Many of the MPH programs require students an area of specialization which includes public health nutrition, infectious diseases, community health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, maternal & child health and environmental health, among others.

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Dartmouth College is a private learning institution and a member of the Ivy League. It was established in 1769 and is one of the ten oldest higher education institutions in the United States.

Its Master of Public Health is an on-campus accelerated program styled to aid students in developing or advancing their career while gaining comprehensive understanding of health policy, determinants of health, quality improvement, decision analysis, epidemiology and biostatistics, and health services research. It has 11 months of hands-on and immersive courses where students will learn how to use data, lead change and influence policies to improve healthcare and health system performance. The ratio of students to teachers in the class is 12:1 to ensure a rich discussion.

Acceptance Rate

7.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Cornell University is a private university whose mission is to discover, preserve and propagate knowledge. It withdraws to educate a new generation of global citizens.  The purpose of the Cornell University public health plan is to provide a comprehensive and systematic approach to prevent disease, promote health and improve the quality of life for everyone. It offers a master of public health that sharpens the student’s experience with its field work, programs at its Activist Lab and professional practical and development experience. The department works closely with students even in the early stages of training.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Northwestern University is committed to innovative research, excellent teaching, and student growth and development. It has world-class teaching staff and has made outstanding contributions not only to the school but also to the community.  It provides a unique program for the Master of Science in Public Health Communication to help students prepare for solving major problems in healthcare. The plan uses innovative methods of healthy communication with practical learning and depth of knowledge. The school has a history of more than 130 years and it has helped raise the level of excellence.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Vandy or Vanderbilt University is known for its transformative research and education. It has immersive experience in graduate school, such as law, medicine, business, education, and nursing.

Vanderbilt University Master of Public Health degree program can be found via the university’s School of Medicine.  The MPH program is a highly regarded program with an interdisciplinary curriculum that is constructed to be completed in two years. It was approved by the Public Health Education Committee. Students can choose from the three directions provided: health policy, global health and epidemiology.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Washington University in St. Louis provides an environment that encourages exploration. Its faculty and staff will work together to increase the lives and livelihoods of students.

Its Master of Public Health degree program is a pioneering program designed to train students with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve the most pressing health problems in society. This course has been approved by the Public Health Education Committee and is known for its course packages and unique courses. The program also has special research opportunities and real-time learning experience.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

At Johns Hopkins University, students are encouraged to explore, challenge and discover ideas. Its mission is to see scholars be inspired and benefit from it.

John Hopkins University sets the standard in public health on a global stage. Its Master of Public Health (MPH) can turn the passion of students into action. It involves an interdisciplinary coursework with prestigious faculty.  The JHU faculty and administration have honed the MPH program over the years and have garnered both awards and press about the growing popularity of the graduate program. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Southern California is one of the earliest research learning institutions in the United States. It is a global hub for international business, technology, art and medicine.

USC offers a top-rated Master of Public Health degree program was launched as part of the university’s commitment to the well-being and health of its communities and of the other states as well. Its curriculum focuses on providing health care to the public. The platform includes online and world-renowned teachers.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Tufts University is a pioneer in higher education in the United States. It is unique for its outstanding research and liberal arts education.  Its Master of Public Health degree program provides students with the academic foundation and practical skills necessary to make a difference in the global community. Around 96% of its graduates are either employed or enrolled in a continuing education.  The world-class faculty is coupled with a leading curriculum for qualified students interested in pursuing a vocational future in public health and public administration. 

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

For more than 100 years, the University of California Los Angeles has been providing an environment of optimism. It stimulates critical thinking and continuously challenges the status quo.

It offers graduate programs in Public Health, namely doctor and Master of Public Health. Its curriculum aims to use technological innovation to provide public health care. Included in the curriculum is the student research program.  Learn more about the robust MPH graduate degree program from UCLA today by requesting information from their admissions team. 

Acceptance Rate

12.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Virginia continues to create an environment that allows faculty, staff and students to break through barriers, challenge conventions and pursue greater benefits. This is a public university, and its schools and courses are ranked nationwide.

Its Master of Public Health Program is an interdisciplinary personalized experience. It focuses on the capabilities that professionals need to enhance the health of individuals and communities. Its courses include law and ethics, health policy, translation and community-based research, to name a few.

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

At the University of California, Berkeley, students come from all over the world. They explore ideas, ask questions, and then participate in improving the world.

Its School of Public Health takes the lead in solving complex problems in public health with groundbreaking research, community-participated actions, and world-class education. It offers graduate academic division, interdisciplinary division, and concurrent graduate degrees.  Obtain vital admissions information from the UC Berkeley administration team to learn more about the public health degree programs. 

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Emory University missions to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge to serve humanity. It inspires students to discover, serve the greater good and bring leaders the ability to change the world.  Rollins School of Public Health offers a master program in public health courses. Its MPH program runs for two years in several majors such as global health, healthcare management, health policy, global epidemiology, environmental health, environmental health and epidemiology, biostatistics, and behavioral, social and health education sciences, among others. It also provides distance-based programs for professional professionals in the fields of applied epidemiology, preventive science, and applied public health informatics.

Acceptance Rate

15.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Northeastern University has decades of experience in education. It is also equipped with world-class teachers and advanced facilities to prepare students for solving complex problems related to humans.  The online Master of Public Health degree program at Northeastern University is a popular graduate degree that provides both quality and challenging academic programming. It trains students in environmental hygiene, detection, prevention and control of disease outbreaks. Its course format also includes ground courses. 

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the first public higher education institution in the United States. It has unwavering dedication to excellence as among the world’s greatest research universities.  Its Jilins School of Global Public Health is a leading school in the field of public health among public universities. It has for faculty successful individuals in research. Formats include online and on-campus, and the curriculum is comprehensive and integrated.

Acceptance Rate

22.63

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

BU or Boston University is a private comprehensive research higher education institution dedicated to educating the new generation. Its mission is to make higher education accessible to all.

Boston University School of Public Health is as focused as it is ambitious. It aims to make a difference especially in public health and the health of the global community. Boston University has the faculty, facility and curriculum that would best prepare the students.  Students that graduate from the MPH program at Boston University go on to work in academia, public organizations, private companies, or government entities across a wide swath of industries. 

Acceptance Rate

18.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Tulane University is a respected research and learning institution founded in 1834. In addition, Tulane is a long-standing member of the AAU.  Tulane University has a robust school of School of Public Health and Medicine offers undergraduate public health studies, as well as master’s and doctoral programs. Its master’s program has an online format to help support working students that are focused on pursing a quality graduate degree. Learn more about the Tulane University public health degree programs by reaching out to the admissions team today. 

Acceptance Rate

12.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Wake Forest University ensures a diverse and vibrant learning community where students can choose a major from six colleges and schools according to their career preferences. This is a privately funded research university.  The university has a division of public health sciences from its school of medicine. Its departments include biostatistics and data science, epidemiology and prevention, implementation science and social science and health policy. Its focus is to determine strategies to promote public health and strengthen disease prevention.

Acceptance Rate

29.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

New York University was established to revolutionize higher education. It ranks the highest in academic courses and has 11 distance learning campuses around the world.

When it comes to public health, New York University provides undergraduate global public health programs where students are exposed to its global nature and the strategies that shape health consequences. Its undergraduate program has 13 majors. Its master’s program is world-class that focuses on ethics, social justice and health equity.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Rochester took the lead in turning ideas into pursuits, making the world a beautiful place to prosper. It continuously breaks boundaries with its vital academic pursuits and published works across a variety of highly competitive academic disciplines.

Public Health degree programs at the University of Rochester are designed to understand better and to respond more efficiently to the ever-changing health challenges around the world. Its undergraduate courses are interdisciplinary, and its courses are a combination of art and science. Students participating in public health programs will be exposed to the knowledge framework.

Acceptance Rate

29.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The University of California San Diego is a top producer of changemakers in almost all fields. It fosters a culture of teamwork and inspires discoveries that are beneficial to the global society.

In order to contribute to the betterment of human health, it provides education in public health. It offers a bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The goal is to apply knowledge to help prevent the onset of disease, protect people from contact, and enhance health throughout the United States.  Learn more about the UC San Diego degree programs in human health today by reaching out to the university’s admissions team. 

Acceptance Rate

31.48

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Top Public Health Degrees

Students considering a degree in public health will have numerous options to consider.  From undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees in the field, there are several programs to consider.  In addition, online learning opportunities effectively double the options for students.

Online learning has become the quickest growing segment in higher education given its inherent benefits.  Degrees can be earned online for a variety of reasons including cost savings, convenience, flexibility, independence, and quality curriculum at accredited schools.

To learn more about online degrees or online learning, visit our proprietary online search portal and online resource guide on our blog.   A summary of degrees and certificate programs in public health include:

Public Health Certificate Programs

Online certificate programs in public health are typically graduate certificates.  Graduate certificates online or on-site are designed to help add specific skills or knowledge to a working professional’s toolbox.  Certificate programs are a series of classes packed into a short-term plan to upskill and expand knowledge for qualifying students and working professionals.  A graduate certificate in public health can be as short as a few weeks to a year long program depending on the school’s curricular design and program emphasis.

Public Health Bachelor’s Degrees

An online bachelor’s degree in public health is a 4-year program for full-time students while part-time students will take longer to complete the degree.  A bachelor’s degree equips students with the skills and knowledge to help establish healthy, safe, and productive policies from child wellness programs to events like disaster relief.  Bachelor degrees blend liberal arts education with core classes to help provide a well-rounded education to students.  General education classes will include courses such as communications, history, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and creative writing.

Core classes in public health will vary from school to school as a function of the school’s programs and curricular emphasis.  Many college programs offer specializations within public health.  Tracks of emphasis may include: child development, health communications, health and wellness programs, disaster and emergency management, health psychology, health informatics, health and cultural diversity, and health management.

Courses in the general public health track will generally provide access to classes such as healthcare delivery methods, cultural healthcare issues, environmental health, health informatics, human disease and prevention, ethics and legal issues in healthcare, epidemiology, global health, research methods, public communication, healthcare finances, planning public health programs, and social change.

Public Health Master’s Degrees

Online master’s degrees in public health can be conferred as a Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Public Health (MPH) depending on the program design.  Core classes in a master’s degree will vary by school and location but will generally cover similar topics.  Courses in the master’s program typically include socio-ecological health perspectives, public health policy, politics and progress, biological health foundation, administration & leadership, understanding public data, program planning & implementation, and public health research methodologies.

Master degrees will take 2-3 years to complete for most students with part-time matriculation extending the program as a function of course load and pace.  Graduates from a MS, MA, or MPH program will be equipped to step into a variety of careers such as: community health professional, epidemiologist, health officer, occupational health specialist, health policy advisor, environmental health specialist, research analyst, emergency response coordinator, public health analyst, public health educator, and disease investigator.

Public Health Doctorate Degrees

Doctoral degrees in public health are known as terminal degrees with no additional degrees beyond it within the field of public health.  Doctorate degrees can be conferred as a PhD in Public Health, PhD in Health Education, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), or Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA).

The degree type will be determined by the college or university’s curricular design and accreditation parameters.  In virtually every case, students will establish their course design given the school’s resources coupled with areas of interest for each student.

Doctorate students will spend a substantive amount of time working on an advisor-approved dissertation project.  The planning, creation, drafting, writing, and defending of a dissertation can be a significant percentage of the overall program.  A dissertation is intended to provide deep insight into public health and extend the knowledge-base for all association with the learning domain.

Public Health Manager Requirements

An education in public health will revolve around the policies implemented to curb risks, the methods and techniques used to implement research that may be used to form such policies, the various outlets and resources that may be utilized to educate the public to such risks, and the oversight of these applications from a managerial perspective.

Due to the nature of public health, students will exposed to a cross section of medical education, sociology, and law, as well as other disciplines that fall under its broad umbrella. Degrees in public health are available at the bachelor degree level; though a minimum of a master degree is typically needed for entry into the field for any meaningful employment. A curriculum in public health may include:

Employment in Public Health Management

Individuals pursuing a career in public health will typically find work through hospitals, non-governmental associations, or through local, state or federal agencies. Based on one's education or focus, he or she will work in research, implementation, management or public relations.

Individuals will have a variety of opportunities open to them, as the need for qualified professionals operating in the various aspects of public health increases due to the various health risks inherent to large populations and the need for the proper research and dissemination of information in order to assist and educate the populace.

Professionals in managerial and advisory positions will more likely affect policies affecting public health, identifying dangers and offering methods and techniques to reduce risks to public health, for example the laws surrounding smoking are a result of the health risks created by second hand smoke and the campaigns that affected those laws are a result of a public health policy and research.

Public Health Jobs & Salary Outlook

Job growth is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade as social, environmental, and other concerns build up, risking the health of an ageing population and requiring the need for professionals to work to provide solutions to the increasing health risks.

Salaries for public health professionals may vary wildly, though those in administrative positions, epidemiology, or environmental health may exceed $120,000 per year. Research and statistical positions typically earn less at an average of $55,000 per year, with other professions occupying the middle of the spectrum. Education and experience are the primary factors in career advancement and increased pay.

Resources in Public Health

Individuals interested in public health may also be interested in health care administrationenvironmental health, or international public health.  The APHA and WHO are the best known associations in the field.  Students serious about their career may find benefit in becoming members of such associations to broaden knowledge while expanding their network.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com