[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/public-health/”]master of public health (MPH) degree[/hen-ui-link] prepares workers who can promote and protect the health and wellness of communities through public health programs, initiatives, and policies. MPH graduates work in various leadership roles such as epidemiologist, biostatistician, health educator, and researcher.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The need for graduates with MPH degrees continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), epidemiologists and statisticians earned a respective $83,980 and $103,300 in median annual salaries in 2024.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Want to learn more about the diverse and dynamic MPH degree program? We put together a list of the best MPH degree programs in the nation. All are designed to prepare the modern student for a career in healthcare and research.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MPH Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Best Master of Public Health Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do Master of Public Health Programs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Degree seekers can complete an MPH degree in 1-2 years, although some schools give part-time MPH students up to six years to complete the program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The MPH curriculum contains between 42-80 credits. MPH programs focus on five [hen-ui-link href=”https://media.ceph.org/wp_assets/2016.Criteria.pdf” target=”_blank”]core public health knowledge areas[/hen-ui-link] established by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and health policy and administration.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public health schools also offer a variety of tracks designed to develop experts for specializations such as epidemiology, biostatistics, community health education, and/or health systems administration and policy. MPH enrollees apply what they learn during field experience and as they complete capstone research projects.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to an MPH Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once you’re ready to apply to an MPH degree program, it’s important to review each school’s website to determine their application requirements. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, some programs may require prerequisite coursework and/or relevant work experience. Applicants must submit an application with the required admission materials.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Programs typically charge an application fee ranging from $50-$75.[/hen-ui-text]

• Admission Materials: Official college transcripts, a resume or CV, and an essay or personal statement. Many schools do not require standardized test scores such as the GRE or GMAT, or waive them for many applicants.
• GPA Requirement: 2.75-3.0

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is MPH Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All programs on this ranking hold institutional and programmatic [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/what-is-accreditation/”]accreditation[/hen-ui-link]. CEPH is the accrediting organization for public health schools and programs in the United States. CEPH is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the gold standard to ensure public health programs meet established criteria for high-quality academic programming.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many employers of MPH graduates, including federal and state governmental agencies, will only hire graduates from a CEPH-accredited program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A CEPH-accredited MPH degree also provides eligibility to sit for the certified in public health exam administered by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nbphe.org/” target=”_blank”]National Board of Public Health Examiners[/hen-ui-link]. Doctoral programs and many fellowships also require or prefer MPH degrees from accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About MPH Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is an MPH a useful degree?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A master of public health degree provides knowledge and practical experience applicable to a variety of careers in the private and public sectors. The projected job outlook looks good for many occupations that require an MPH. According to the BLS, epidemiologists can expect a projected 16% job growth between 2024-2034 — far faster than the national average.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can you make a living with a master of public health degree?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, and a good one. The MPH degree can pave the way for [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/public-health/jobs/”]many rewarding careers[/hen-ui-link]. Epidemiologists and statisticians respectively earned a median annual salary of $83,980 and $103,300 as of 2024.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to get an MPH degree?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The MPH completion timeline depends on whether you enroll in a full- or part-time program, your own unique schedule, and other factors. Typically, full-time MPH students complete 42-45 credits in 2-3 years.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between an MS and an MPH in public health?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An MPH program teaches students how to apply public health principles to real-world issues. The MPH also tends to emphasize hands-on experience and training in public health settings. The MS in public health places more emphasis on scholarship and research.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]