By TMPH Staff
April 2018
Career professionals in public health have some good news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: today’s job outlook for their field is very rosy. By 2020, there will be at least a quarter of a million quality job openings. With a career in public health, you can build your own bright future at the same time you strive to help others. Here are a few job titles in the field: biostatistician, epidemiologist, healthcare administrator, policy advisor, public health educator, and researcher. The median annual salary for statisticians in the US is $72,800. Those in the top 10% may earn upwards of $119,000. The median annual salary for epidemiologists is $63,000 and for environmental scientists is $61,700.
For those who may be on the fence about returning to school for a degree, an online school is an attractive option. You can work at your own pace and still be able to manage your personal responsibilities. The affordability of the following schools, as well as their relatively small class sizes, make an online choice very appealing.
This list of the top 20 cheapest MPH degrees online for 2018 was assembled by the structure delineated here.
#20 – University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 5,428
Tuition: $16,640
The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public liberal arts institution of higher learning that was founded in 1969 and offers a 48 credit hour, online master of public health. Claiming a favorable student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, the program includes coursework in biostatistics and community health education. Regardless of student residency, the cost for each online, graduate credit hour is $362.25. The University of Illinois at Springfield is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#19 – Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 9
Enrollment: 21,625
Tuition: $18,373
Nova Southeastern University was founded in 1964, and the school mascot is the Shark. The school offers an online master of public health that is a 42 credit hour program including coursework in epidemiology and research methods. Nova Southeastern University charges a tuition rate of $601 for each credit hour for this online, graduate program, which claims a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#18 – University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 5
Enrollment: 2,240
Tuition: $27,335
Founded in 1853, the University of Florida’s school motto is, “The welfare of the state depends upon the morals of its citizens.” With a student to faculty ratio of 49 to 1, the school offers an online master of public health that is a 48 credit hour program. Coursework includes contemporary public health issues and statistical methods for health science. The non-resident charge for the online, graduate program is $631.19 for each credit hour. The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#17 – University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 29,120
Tuition: $22,217
The University of Illinois at Chicago was established in 1965. The school offers an online master of public health that is a 45 credit hour program including coursework in determinants of health and public health systems, while maintaining a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The University of Illinois at Chicago charges $793 per credit hour for this online, graduate program. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#16 – Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 12
Enrollment: 3,040
Tuition: $13,000
Indiana Wesleyan University is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. Claiming a laudable student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1, the school offers an online master of public health that is a 43 credit hour program and includes coursework in epidemiology and environmental health. The school charges $595 for each credit hour for this online, graduate program. Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#15 – Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 16
Enrollment: 75,756
Tuition: $8,051
Liberty University was founded in 1971 by televangelist Jerry Falwell, and the school mascot is the Flame. The school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health that claims a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Coursework covers such subjects as public health administration and research methods. For this online, graduate program, Liberty University requires $605 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#14 – New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 14,852
Tuition: $14,254
New Mexico State University was founded in 1888. Maintaining a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, the school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health that includes coursework in environmental public health issues and psychosocial aspects of public health. New Mexico State University charges an online, out of state, graduate rate of $850.50 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#13 – Des Moines University
Des Moines, Iowa
Master of Public Health Online
Website
Points: 5
Enrollment: 1,585
Tuition: $15,115
Des Moines University was established in 1898. The school offers an online master of public health that is a 46 credit hour program offering three available concentrations: general public health, health service management, and health promotion. Des Moines University charges a tuition rate of $616 for each credit hour for this online, graduate program. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#12 – Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, Ohio
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points:7
Enrollment: 959
Tuition: $9,558
Northeast Ohio Medical University was established in 1973. The school offers an online master of public health that is a 42 credit hour program including coursework in biostatistics and epidemiology. An in-state rate of $576 per credit hour is charged for this online, graduate program. Northeast Ohio Medical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#11 – Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana
Master of Science in Health Sciences, concentration in Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 10
Enrollment: 13,565
Tuition: $13,986
Indiana State University’s school mascot is the Sycamore. Claiming a 21 to 1 student to faculty ratio, the school offers a 39-42 credit hour, online master of science in health sciences, concentration in public health. Coursework covers subjects such as health behavior theories and research methodology. Indiana State University charges an out of state tuition rate of $793 for each online, graduate credit hour. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#10 – South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 14
Enrollment: 12,600
Tuition: $14,449
South Dakota State University was established in 1881, and the school mascot is the Jackrabbit. The school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health degree that includes coursework in parasitology and occupational health. Regardless of residency, South Dakota State University offers a tuition rate of $444.25 for each online, graduate credit hour. This program touts a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#9 – The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 10
Enrollment: 19,535
Tuition: $17,294
The University of Alabama at Birmingham was established in 1966. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, the school offers an online master of public health that is a 43 credit hour program and includes coursework in environmental health and industrial hygiene. The school charges an out of state tuition rate of $1,025 per credit hour for this online, graduate program. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#8 – Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 10
Enrollment: 12,916
Tuition: $20,870
Idaho State University was established in 1907, and the school mascot is Benny the Bengal. Boasting a commendable student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1, the school offers an online master of public health that is a 48 credit hour program. Courses include technological applications in public health and epidemiology. For this online, graduate program, Idaho State University charges an out of state tuition rate of $687 for each credit hour. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
#7 – University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 10
Enrollment: 12,966
Tuition: $22,166
The University of West Florida was established in 1963 and offers a 42 credit hour online master of public health that includes coursework in public health policy and behavioral sciences. With a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1, the online, graduate program offers an out of state tuition rate of $648.37, along with the opportunity for tuition waivers. The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#6 – Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 10
Enrollment: 20,271
Tuition: $16,320
Western Kentucky University was founded by the Commonwealth in 1906. The school athletic teams are known as the Hilltoppers. Claiming a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health, with coursework such as biostatistics and epidemiology. Western Kentucky University charges a tuition rate of $707 for each online, graduate credit hour. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#5 – University of Montana
Missoula, Montana
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points:9
Enrollment: 12,419
Tuition: $18,742
The University of Montana was called the “most scenic campus” in the country by Rolling Stone magazine. The school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health, while maintaining a favorable student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. The program includes coursework in public health administration and health policy. The school charges an out of state tuition rate of $790.60 for each online, graduate credit hour. The University of Montana is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
#4 – University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 8
Enrollment: 14,648
Tuition: $19,184
The University of North Dakota was established in 1883. The school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health degree that offers two available specializations: population health analytics and health management and policy. The University of North Dakota charges an out of state tuition rate of $1,051.80 per online, graduate credit hour for this program, while achieving a 21 to 1 student to faculty ratio. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#3 – The University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 11
Enrollment: 2,381
Tuition: $16,995
The University of North Texas Health Science Center was established in 1970 and has an online master of public health degree that is a 42 credit hour program. Courses include community health and biostatistics. The University of North Texas Health Science Center offers an out of state tuition of $803.88 per online, graduate credit hour for this program, which has a student to faculty ratio of 26 to 1. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#2 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 8
Enrollment: 29,468
Tuition: $26,854
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789. Boasting a commendable student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, the school offers an online master of public health that is a 42 credit hour program. Coursework covers such subjects as AIDS policy and Spanish for health professionals. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill charges an out of state tuition rate of $3,970.38 for every 3 online, graduate credit hours. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#1 – University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Master of Public Health Online
School Profile
Points: 9
Enrollment: 30,037
Tuition: $29,644
The University of Massachusetts was established in 1863. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the school offers a 42 credit hour, online master of public health degree that covers such subjects as comparative healthcare systems and community development. The University of Massachusetts offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $615 per credit hour for this program, regardless of residency. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
