If you're passionate about improving community health, consider a career in public health. In a public health role, you can address health concerns affecting various communities.
Take it from an expert: "A career in public health is very rewarding," says Randy Schwartz, who has an MS in public health and over three decades of experience in health promotion and disease prevention. "There are opportunities to address important issues facing the country and your community."
A master of public health (MPH) is one of the best ways to start your career in public health. And by earning your MPH online, you could save time and money on your degree.
Online MPH Program Highlights
Choose from among concentrations such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy.
In our 2024 Online Education Trends Report, 98% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
Similarly, over 9 in 10 nursing and healthcare students and graduates say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Learn how to implement policies and practices to address real-world health issues.
Start Your Online MPH Journey Today
Best Online MPH Programs of 2025
Why You Should Get a Master's in Public Health
Prepare for In-Demand Jobs: Many careers in public health, such as epidemiologist, require or expect you to have a master's in public health.
Gain Experience: An online MPH provides you with real-world knowledge and experience in the field of public health so you can hit the ground running.
Help Communities: A public health career lets you give back to the community by improving health outcomes.
Benefits of Getting an MPH Online
An online master's program allows for more flexibility with your schedule.
In our survey, just over half of online master's students and graduates say their classes allowed them to build their professional networks.
In that same report, 56% of online master's students and grads say the assignments in their classes could relate to future jobs.
Online programs tend to be cheaper than in-person programs.
How to Choose the Best Online MPH Program for You
As you research online MPH programs, be sure to consider factors like cost, program length, accreditation, application requirements, available concentrations, and potential career paths.
How Much Does an Online MPH Cost?
Cost of Online MPH Degree, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$12,780
Avg. Net Price
$9,293
Source: NCES PowerStats
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for an online MPH program were just under $13,000 in 2019-2020. With financial aid, this comes out to an average net price of around $9,000 per year.
In addition to tuition and fees, you'll likely have to pay for course materials like textbooks. You may also need to pay distance learning or technology fees, depending on your school.
Some of the cheapest online MPH programs range from $7,000 to $16,000 — far cheaper than most other master's programs, which typically cost tens of thousands of dollars a year.
You can save money on your online master's in public health by submitting the FAFSA and applying for scholarships and other aid.
Find Financial Aid for Your Online MPH
How Long Does It Take to Get an MPH Online?
Typical # of Credits
40-60 Credits
Typical Program Length
2 Years
It typically takes two years — or a total of 40-60 credits — to earn an MPH online.
Each program has its own credit requirements and schedules that can affect your timeline. For example, some programs may only offer evening courses.
Consider an accelerated master's program if you wish to jumpstart your public health career more quickly. Accelerated programs can help you earn your MPH online in less time, usually a year.
Concentrations for an Online MPH
Like many master's programs, especially health programs, you can choose a concentration for your online MPH. Picking a concentration lets you develop expertise in a particular area of public health, preparing you for more niche roles.
Each concentration will have specific courses for you to take. Check online MPH program sites to see what concentrations different programs offer.
Here are some of the most common MPH concentrations:
Biostatistics
Community health
Environmental health
Epidemiology
Global health
Health policy and administration
Maternal health
Nutrition
Online MPH Application Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Academic transcripts, often with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Online application
Resume or CV
Accreditation for Online MPH Programs
When you're applying to online MPH programs, make sure the programs you're considering are accredited. Programmatic accreditation means the program has been independently vetted to meet specific standards, and you can trust you'll get a quality education.
The leading accreditor for MPH programs is the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). All of the best online MPH programs ranked above are CEPH-accredited.
Don't forget to also check for institutional accreditation.
What Can You Do With an Online Master's in Public Health?
With an online MPH, you can get a job as a community health worker, public health consultant, epidemiologist, or health education specialist. In these jobs, you can earn anywhere from $50,000-$135,000.
Note that you might have to pursue additional certifications or licenses if you want to be eligible for more specialized public health jobs or advance in your current role.
Public health is a generally well-paying field with strong job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth from 2024-2034 for the jobs below is much faster than the national average growth rate of 3%.
| Job | Avg. Annual Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Worker | $51,030 (April 2024) | Helps people adopt healthy habits, advocates for their health, and implements community health programs |
| Epidemiologist | $83,980 | Investigates and tracks the spread of diseases and health conditions |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,000 | Manages health education programs to meet community needs |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 | Plans and coordinates health and medical services in healthcare settings |
| Public Health Consultant | $82,300 (October 2024) | Creates strategies to address public health concerns |
Ask an Expert: How Much Money Can You Make in Public Health?
"Salaries in public health vary by geography, setting, and experience. In some states, governmental public health positions pay very well … while similar positions in other states may not pay at the same level. Positions in the private sector generally have better salary levels than governmental and nonprofit organization positions."
Is an Online MPH Worth It?
To help you determine whether an online MPH program is worth it, start by comparing the cost of your prospective program with the potential salaries you could earn after graduation.
You should also consider the total time it will take to complete your MPH online, as well as to get any certifications you'll need to jumpstart (or advance in) your career.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 83.4% of the class of 2023 master's in public health graduates reported a positive career outcome.
Additionally, BestColleges' own research found that 95% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Lastly, don't forget to think about your own interests in the public health space — and what you can accomplish with an MPH.
"Public health is team- and relationship-oriented and involves solving important issues such as reducing health disparities in populations," says Schwartz. "The opportunity to contribute to solutions on leading public health and healthcare issues makes for a rewarding job."
Education Beyond a Master's in Public Health
Some healthcare and public health careers require a more advanced degree than a master's.
A doctorate in public health — such as a Ph.D. in public health or a doctor of public health (DPH) — can set you up for a career as a public health professor, public health researcher, public health consultant, biostatistician, or epidemiologist.
If you want to pursue a more competitive or specialized job, pursuing a doctorate in public health could be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MPH Programs
Most schools do not report individual programs' acceptance rates. But based on fall 2023 university-wide acceptance rates reported by College Navigator, some of the easiest online MPH programs to get into may include those offered by the University of Nevada, Reno (85%), the University at Buffalo (69%), and Florida International University (59%).
