Best Online Master’s in Public Health Programs of 2024

Public health professionals investigate infectious diseases, develop and implement programs to prevent disease or injuries, detect preventable conditions early, educate the public about health and wellness, and implement policies that improve community health.

So what can you do with a public health degree? A master’s in public health leads to careers in health promotion and education, public health management, policy-making, research, and consulting.

If that sounds like the career you want, an online master’s in public health might be the best fit.

Explore Top Online Master’s in Public Health Programs

The degree will give you the knowledge and skills to pursue jobs in public health and healthcare. If you’re still on the fence, consider the benefits of earning your master of public health degree — and why many grad students choose an online format.

Based on the 2020 NCES National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (2020 Graduate Students), the median annual tuition for all online health programs was $9,310. Although the study doesn’t provide specific tuition costs for an online master’s in public health specifically, this figure still gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay per year in tuition and fees.

When researching online MPH programs, students should consider non-tuition expenses that can significantly increase the cost of completing any program. The NCES estimates that the average annual non-tuition costs (e.g. books, supplies, transportation) amount to about $12,985. An online program will not involve transportation costs unless there is an internship or externship requirement that involves in-person experiences.

Online in-state students attending public colleges tend to pay the lowest tuition rates, while students at private colleges often pay much more. Research to find out if certain schools grant waivers or don’t charge out-of-state fees for online programs.

Online master’s in public health programs require about 42 credits and take two years of full-time study to complete. However, some accelerated tracks can lead to a degree in one year.

Salaries vary based on location, position, and experience level. For example, the BLS reports that epidemiologists earned a median annual salary of $81,390 in May 2023, with the top 10% boasting a yearly wage of $132,230.

However, those who work in scientific research services saw an average annual salary of $126,970, while epidemiologists who work in hospitals earned about $104,690.

With an MPH degree, you can pursue careers like epidemiologist, public health manager, health education specialist, or public health consultant. You can also work as a public health researcher, environmental health scientist, or biostatistician.

Your concentration and field placements during your MPH program will prepare you for particular jobs in public health. For example, you can emphasize leadership and administration during your coursework if you’re interested in management roles.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges.