By BMD Staff
In this ranking, we provide information on the top 10 affordable Master of Public Health online programs.
A master's degree in public health is a critical step toward career advancement as a public health professional. Graduate programs prepare students to pursue various career trajectories in the public health arena. Working as a public health professional allows you to assist the public in promoting health awareness and injury prevention. Many public health professionals develop and implement training programs that educate the public. But working as a public health professional requires specific skills, gained only from accredited institutions. Thankfully, online programs are available so that students may continue working in the field of healthcare while attending school. Flexible class scheduling and affordability are extremely important to grad school attendees balancing education and family life.
Methodology
Our ranking to find the top 10 affordable online MPH programs of 2015 may serve as a useful starting place when conducting your graduate school search. In gathering our list of top schools, we examined a mix of reputable websites and rankings for online MPH degree programs. Some of the websites reviewed included Get Educated, U.S. News and World Report's Best Colleges, Best College Reviews, and Healthcare-Management-Degree.net. We compiled a list of the top ranked schools and cross-referenced them in order to build a list based on affordability. We recorded the schools' graduate tuition and fees, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences – College Navigator, and were able to identify the top 10 most affordable online MPH programs. The following list includes graduate schools with online MPH degree programs costing less than $11,000 per year. In fact, in some states, graduate students may acquire an online master in public health for under $6,000 per year, which is cheaper than most undergraduate programs.
#10 – National University
Online Master's in Public Health
La Jolla, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,638
The online Master's degree in Public Health program offered at National University prepares students for leadership roles in areas of health promotion and disease prevention. The program operates in accordance with competency guidelines set forth by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH), making it appeal to high-achieving health professionals with valid work experience. Classes are offered in a flexible format and internship opportunities are part of the online study experience. National University offers one of the most affordable online MPH programs in the country. The Chronicle of Higher Education has reported National University as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For," resulting in an influx of quality faculty and staff.
#9 – University of Illinois at Springfield
Online Master's in Public Health
Springfield, Illinois
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $9,948
Known for its ability to education leaders and servants, University of Illinois at Springfield offers one of the most affordable MPH online programs in the country. The Public Health Department offers an online MPA degree program entirely online, and carefully designed with the working professional in mind. Flexible courses and award-winning faculty teach the Master course classes. The university is highly esteemed by national ranking indicators and accrediting bodies. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university as the 42nd Best Regional University in the Midwest and the 9th Best Top Public School in the country. The school is highly ranked because it offers the best academic value for the money. As part of the University of Illinois public university system, the Springfield campus is the newest, and a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
#8 – The University of West Florida
Online Master's in Public Health
Pensacola, Florida
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $9,062
Recognized among many as West Florida or UWF, The University of West Florida, is a comprehensive research university that is a member of the State University System of Florida. Aside from offering one of the most affordable online Master's degree in Public Health programs, the school maintains a 400-online course selection for students each semester. Online MPH programs available at the university, including the Master's degrees, are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school has been named and recognized among some of the top national ranking bodies in the country. Princeton Review has named the school as the Best Southeastern College from 2003 through 2015, while Forbes has named the school as among America's Top Colleges three times.
#7 – San Jose State University
Online Master's in Public Health
San Jose, California
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $8,589
Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, the online MPH Master's degree program was founded in 1970 to prepare and equip health practitioners working in the field of community health education. Affordability for in-state students, combined with national rankings and awards, attracts students to San Jose State University's MPH online programs. According to U.S. News and World Report's 2015 edition of Best Colleges, San Jose State ranks 8th among the Best Western Regional Public Institutions and 38th among the Best Regional Universities in the Western United States. The school has also been recently named by Business Insider as the top school among universities to land students a job in Silicon Valley, no matter what the major.
#6 – Idaho State University
Online Master's in Public Health
Pocatello, Idaho
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $7,734
The online MPH degree program from Idaho State University is named among the most affordable programs of its kind. The mission of the MPH program is to help improve the overall health and well being of human populations through active service, research, and continuing education. Like many Master of Public Health programs with online capabilities, Idaho State University offers flexible study for working professionals who want to excel in the field. The MPH program at Idaho State is the only accredited program of its kind in the state of Idaho. The Council on Education for Public Health has accredited the program since 2002. Online students find a vast array of research opportunities and internships, even while studying remotely. The program provides dedicated faculty members who are engaged in ongoing research and community service. These faculty members make themselves available to students outside of the classroom, providing assistance with projects and guidance in navigating employment opportunities.
#5 – American Public University
Online Master's in Public Health
Charles Town, West Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,150
American Public University is part of the for-profit, online learning institution network known as American Public University System (APUS). While publicly traded, and operating out of Charles Town, West Virginia, the school has climbed the ranks in becoming a leader among online institutions. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, APU offers graduate degree programs in areas of health and health services. Among MPH online programs, American Public University offers one of the most affordable of its kind. The School of Health Sciences offers notable faculty engaged in teaching, and providing research opportunities, to students participating in the online MPH programs. Students engaged in the one of the online Public Health Master's programs at APU participate in various student organizations, such as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
#4 – Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center
Online Master's in Public Health
Des Moines, Iowa
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,100
Founded in 1898 as the Dr. S.S. Still College and Infirmary of Osteopathy and Surgery, the Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center offers nine academic programs, including the online MPH. Unlike typical Master in Public Health online programs, the mission of Des Moines University's program is to prepare health professionals to protect the public from a wide range of health threats, while educating individuals and promoting wellness. Students learn from esteemed faculty, who work as health professionals and researchers in the field of community and public health. The American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredit the school.
#3 – University of North Texas Health Science Center
Online Master's in Public Health
Fort Worth, Texas
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $5,020
The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT) offers one of the most affordable and well-established online MPH programs in the country. The School of Public Health was founded in 1999 at the University of North Texas Health Science Center to graduate professionals in the area of community and health awareness. Recognized as one of the premier Master of Public Health online programs, the degree options at University of North Texas Health Science Center include various areas of concentration. Students may choose to focus their MPH degree in areas of specialty, such as community health, epidemiology, health management, and maternal and child health. UNT is noted for having one of the country's most prominent DNA research labs and elite faculty body. Students learn from the best and in an environment that sees research as the foundation of education. U.S. News and World Report ranks UNT as the 44th Best Public Health program in the country.
#2 – New Mexico State University
Online Master's in Public Health
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $4,822
The Department of Public Health Sciences at New Mexico State University offers one of the most affordable and highly ranked Master in Public Health online programs in the country. Not only will students find accessible faculty members and research opportunities, but with the passing of the Affordable Care Act and implementation of Centennial Care in New Mexico, new opportunities for skilled public health professionals are available. The online MPH program is fully accredited and nationally recognized. Among the school's recognitions include U.S. News and World Report's national Tier 1 ranking among the best public schools and Forbes Magazine's inclusion of the school among America's Best Colleges. The school is also known for its research programs, and provides state funded research opportunities in various health science disciplines.
#1 – Fort Hays State University
Online Master's in Public Health
Hays, Kansas
Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees: $3,705
Fort Hays State University offers one of the most affordable Master of Public health programs online to students who are residents of Kansas. In-state tuition rates are drastically cut for graduate students pursuing master's degrees in Public Health. Online Public Health Master's programs, such as the one at Fort Hays State University, are designed to provide a professional skill set in public and community health. The professional workforce skills acquired are highly desirable to public health industry employers in government and the private sector. Fort Hays State University is home to the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, a public policy research institute that acts as an effective facilitator for government and non-profit leaders. The institute provides research, strategic planning, consulting, grants facilitation, and public administration training in key areas, including Public Health. The university is host to the annual Sebelius Lecture Series, which gathers recognized leaders across the globe to share their wisdom with students and faculty.