Compare CEPH-accredited MPH programs, concentrations, costs, and career outcomes across all 50 states and online.
Roughly 250 CEPH-accredited public health programs now operate in the United States, and epidemiologists and health services managers are projected among the faster-growing occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through the next decade. That growth sits alongside a harder truth: median MPH earnings vary by tens of thousands of dollars depending on concentration, employer sector, and geography.
The practical tension for most applicants is not whether public health matters, but which credential fits their target role. An epidemiologist chasing a CDC fellowship, a hospital administrator eyeing an MHA in public health administration, and a policy analyst weighing a Master of Public Policy (MPP) all land in overlapping job postings, yet the degrees prepare them differently.
Employers increasingly screen for CEPH accreditation and concentration fit before salary history, which makes program selection a career decision, not just an academic one.
Public health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of entire populations rather than treating one patient at a time. Where clinical medicine responds to illness after it appears in an individual, public health works upstream: tracking disease patterns, shaping policy, designing prevention programs, and building systems that keep communities healthy before a crisis reaches a hospital bed. It draws on epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental science, and behavioral research to answer questions clinical training was never built to address, like why a neighborhood has a higher asthma rate or how to stop an outbreak before it spreads.
Public health, public administration, and public policy overlap constantly, but they are not interchangeable fields. Public administration focuses on managing government agencies: budgets, personnel, operations, and the machinery that makes public programs run. Public policy centers on designing and evaluating the laws and regulations those agencies implement. Public health applies both, but its endpoint is population health outcomes specifically. A health department director might use administrative skills to run the agency and policy skills to draft an ordinance, but the underlying mission, measurably improving community health, is what defines the discipline.
Practitioners operate across several core domains, often moving between them over a career:
The Master of Public Health functions much like an MBA does for business: a practice-oriented credential built for people who intend to work in the field, not pursue academic research full time. It is distinct from a PhD in epidemiology or biostatistics, which trains researchers rather than practitioners. Most MPH graduates head straight into agencies, hospitals, and nonprofits rather than laboratories or faculty positions.
These fully online public health programs combine flexible delivery with strong institutional track records. The list includes stackable graduate certificates, Master of Public Health degrees, and doctoral training, so you can find the right level of commitment for your career.
Gainesville, FL · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Working professionals seeking public health foundations
This flagship public research university offers a fully online graduate certificate pathway into public health, designed for working professionals, recent graduates, and clinicians exploring the field. The program requires no campus visits and allows credits to transfer into a future MPH. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 91%, a strong signal of institutional support.
Chapel Hill, NC · $12,000/yr
Best for: Career changers pursuing a no-GRE online MPH
One of the nation's leading schools of public health, UNC offers a CEPH-accredited online Master of Public Health with four concentrations: applied epidemiology, health policy, leadership in practice, and nutrition, food systems and health. The curriculum includes a mentored practicum and flexible full-time or part-time pacing across three start dates. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 91%.
Irvine, CA · $14,000/yr (net price)
Best for: UCI graduate students entering health informatics
A University of California campus focused on the data side of public health, UCI offers an online graduate certificate in public health informatics backed by a major federal grant. The program emphasizes building a diverse workforce skilled in health data, messaging, and digital tools, with internships across hundreds of sites. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 87%.
Tallahassee, FL · $11,000/yr
Florida State University offers an online graduate certificate in public health epidemiology with a practical, applied focus. Coursework covers chronic disease, infectious disease, social epidemiology, surveillance, and program evaluation, and the certificate is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 86%.
Baltimore, MD · $19,000/yr (net price)
A global leader in public health education, Johns Hopkins offers a part-time, fully online Doctor of Public Health for early and mid-career professionals. Students can pursue flexible concentrations, including health policy and management and epidemiology, while continuing to work. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 94%.
Cambridge, MA · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers a 45-credit online Master of Public Health generalist program built for busy professionals. Students complete core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health systems, and policy, plus an applied practice experience and optional certificates. Asynchronous coursework with optional live sessions allows flexibility within a global cohort. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 98%.
Athens, GA · $14,000/yr
The University of Georgia provides an online graduate certificate in public health as a flexible entry point into the field. The fully online format makes it accessible to working professionals who want a graduate-level credential without relocating. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 90%.
San Diego, CA · $15,000/yr (net price)
San Diego State University brings a CEPH-accredited School of Public Health to its fully online Advanced Certificate in Public Health. The five-course program is built for working professionals, with mostly asynchronous classes and the option to try one course before applying. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 76%.
Miami, FL · ~$9,000/yr (est.)
Florida International University offers a CEPH-accredited online Master of Public Health with a generalist concentration, covering all core public health disciplines. The 45-credit program features asynchronous full-time and part-time options, with a practicum waiver for experienced professionals. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 74%.
Davis, CA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
UC Davis offers an online public health certificate developed with its Department of Public Health Sciences and located near the California Department of Public Health. The 12-month program covers biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, and health systems management. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of about 86%.
Choosing an MPH program means weighing reputation against practical outcomes, and accreditation status sits at the center of that decision. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) serves as the recognized accrediting body for graduate public health education in the United States, setting standards that shape curriculum, faculty qualifications, and the applied learning experiences you will complete before graduation.
CEPH accredits entire units rather than individual courses or degrees. These units fall into three categories: Schools of Public Health (SPH), Public Health Programs (PHP), and standalone baccalaureate programs.1 For MPH seekers, the distinction between SPH and PHP matters most. A School of Public Health operates as an independent, college-level entity and must offer both master's and doctoral degrees across at least three core areas.2 A Public Health Program, by contrast, can be housed within a larger college or university structure and is required to offer an MPH covering all five core areas but does not need doctoral offerings.1
The accreditation review process involves a formal application, an extensive self-study prepared by the institution, an external site visit by CEPH evaluators, and a council decision with ongoing monitoring. Evaluators assess governance structure, faculty qualifications (concentrations must have at least three full-time faculty members and two FTE)2, curriculum design, supervised applied practice requirements, and data-driven quality improvement processes. The current criteria were last amended in August 2021, with revisions under development for 2026.3 Programs must require at least 42 semester credits (or 56 quarter credits)1 and validate that students acquire foundational knowledge across all five core areas.2
Accreditation carries tangible professional consequences. Graduates of CEPH-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) examination, the field's primary professional credential. Federal employers, including agencies like the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, often give hiring preference to candidates from accredited programs. Many state and local health departments follow similar practices. Financial aid eligibility can also depend on accreditation status, as some scholarships and loan programs require enrollment in a recognized program.
Every CEPH-accredited MPH program must provide foundational coursework across five core public health knowledge areas:
Students complete foundational coursework across all five areas2 before selecting a concentration that deepens expertise in a specific domain. Common concentrations include epidemiology, global health, health informatics, maternal and child health, and health policy. This structure ensures that every MPH graduate shares a common knowledge base while developing specialized skills aligned with their career goals. When evaluating programs, verify both school-level and program-level accreditation status using CEPH's official search tool1, as the distinction affects your eligibility for credentials and employer recognition.
Four graduate degrees overlap in the public service and health sectors, but each one trains you for a distinct role. The Master of Public Health (MPH) prepares you to protect community health through data and intervention design. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) builds organizational leaders for government and nonprofits. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) produces analysts who design and evaluate policy. The Master of Health Administration (MHA) develops executives who run hospitals and health systems. The table below breaks down the differences that matter most when you are deciding where to apply.
| MPH | MPA | MPP | MHA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, and behavioral and community health | Budgeting, organizational management, governance, and public and nonprofit management | Policy design, impact evaluation, research design, data analysis, statistics, and economics | Healthcare organizational leadership, operations, finance, and strategic management |
| Communities and populations at large | Citizens and constituents of public and nonprofit organizations | Policymakers and the populations affected by legislation | Patients within hospitals, health systems, and private practices |
| Government agencies (CDC, HHS, state and local health departments), nonprofits, NGOs, and academia | City, county, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations | Legislative offices, think tanks, research institutes, and advocacy organizations | Hospitals, integrated health systems, managed care organizations, and private practices |
| Epidemiologist | Policy analyst or city manager | Policy analyst or legislative aide | Medical and health services manager |
| Approximately $51,300 per year | Approximately $72,600 per year | Approximately $80,000 per year | Approximately $82,000 to $107,000 per year |
| Approximately $117,960 per year | Approximately $160,600 per year | Data not separately reported for health policy tracks | Approximately $110,680 per year |
| Biostatistics, epidemiology, global health, environmental health, maternal and child health, nutrition, mental health, health informatics, and social and behavioral science | Budgeting and finance, criminal justice, economic development, emergency management, environment, health, homeland security, human resources, nonprofit management, and public policy analysis | Typically fewer formal concentrations; depth comes through elective policy domains such as education, environment, or health | Health informatics, long term care administration, and healthcare quality and safety |
| Applied statistical methods for analyzing patterns of health and disease across populations | Moderate; focused on budget analysis, program evaluation, and performance measurement | Heavy; grounded in economics, econometrics, and causal inference | Moderate; oriented toward financial modeling, forecasting, and operational analytics |
| Preferred when designing health interventions grounded in epidemiological and biostatistical evidence | Preferred for roles emphasizing organizational leadership, budgeting, and public management | Valued for rigorous research skills and the ability to translate evidence into legislative recommendations | Associated with six figure administrative and executive roles within healthcare delivery systems |
| About 2 years full time | 2 to 4 years depending on format and prior experience | About 2 years full time | About 2 to 3 years full time |
| Health policy roles projected to outpace traditional public administration positions through 2034 | Steady demand across local, state, and federal government | Growing need for evidence based policy analysis in legislatures and agencies | Strong growth driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare systems |
Can you get into a top MPH program without taking the GRE?
The short answer is yes, and your options have expanded dramatically. What began as a wave of temporary pandemic-era waivers has become a permanent policy shift across many of the country's most respected schools of public health. For prospective students weighing application timelines and costs, understanding exactly where each program stands can save weeks of unnecessary test preparation.
A growing number of highly regarded MPH programs no longer require or even review GRE scores. As of the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, schools in this category include:
These programs evaluate candidates holistically, placing greater weight on professional experience, statements of purpose, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Several elite programs accept but do not require GRE scores, giving applicants the choice to submit them. Notable examples for 2025-2026 include:
At these schools, submitting a strong score can strengthen your application, but choosing not to test will not count against you in the review process.
A smaller group of programs still requires the GRE under certain circumstances. Nova Southeastern University, for instance, requires scores only if your cumulative GPA falls below 3.0.3 San Diego State University requires the GRE specifically for its epidemiology MPH concentration, even though other tracks may not.3 These conditional policies are more common than many applicants realize, so reading admissions pages carefully is essential.
GRE policies can shift from one admissions cycle to the next. Among the programs ranked and profiled on publicadministrationpolicy.org, we encourage readers to check individual school pages and admissions offices directly for the most current requirements before finalizing an application strategy.
Even at programs where the GRE is optional, a competitive score can work in your favor if other parts of your application need reinforcement. If your undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0, for example, a score at or above the 50th percentile can demonstrate quantitative readiness and offset concerns an admissions committee might have. Weigh that potential benefit against the cost of test preparation, both in dollars and in time. For applicants with strong academic records and relevant work experience, skipping the GRE may be the right call, freeing you to invest those hours in a more compelling personal statement or securing stronger recommendation letters.
The bottom line: the GRE is no longer a gatekeeping requirement at most leading MPH programs. Focus your energy where it will have the greatest impact on your candidacy.
CEPH sets no universal minimum practicum hour requirement1, yet most MPH programs still impose their own floor of 120 to 200 supervised hours, with outliers like USC requiring 3002. That range defines the scheduling reality for anyone considering an online, hybrid, or part-time format.
The ranked programs featured on this page filter to 100% online delivery, so every school listed can be completed without relocating. That is a deliberate scope choice, not a comment on hybrid quality.
CEPH requires a supervised applied practice experience: at least five demonstrated competencies (three of them foundational)1 and a minimum of two deliverables produced for a host organization3. Hour thresholds are set by the individual school. Walden's one-course option requires 120 hours4, Penn requires 1255, Wayne State 1356, UC Berkeley 1307, Washington 1608, UNC Greensboro 1809, and Pittsburgh and FIU each 2001011.
Online students almost always complete the practicum locally, at a health department, hospital, community clinic, or nonprofit near their home8. Remote and hybrid placements are permitted as long as a preceptor supervises the work12 and competency mapping is documented through learning contracts, activity logs, and reflection journals. Deliverables like policy briefs, dashboards, evaluation reports, and health education materials translate cleanly to remote work.
Full-time MPH students typically finish in 1.5 to 2 years. Part-time and online formats generally extend that to 2.5 to 3 years, sometimes longer if you pause between terms. Before enrolling, confirm two things with your employer: whether tuition reimbursement covers online or out-of-state programs, and whether the benefit requires you to remain employed for a set period after graduation. Both conditions materially change the true cost of the degree.
MPH graduates work across a broad range of roles and settings, from tracking disease outbreaks at state health departments to designing community wellness programs at nonprofits. The table below compares four common public health occupations using the most recent federal wage and employment data. Salaries vary significantly by employer type. For example, epidemiologists working in scientific research and development earn a mean wage of roughly $126,970, while those in state government average closer to $79,030. Typical employers across all of these roles include state and local health departments, hospitals and health systems, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies such as the CDC and HHS.
| Occupation | National Median Salary | Total Employment | Projected 10-Year Job Growth | Top-Paying Sector (Mean Wage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologists | $83,980 | 11,460 | 16% (much faster than average) | Grantmaking and Giving Services ($135,530) |
| Health Education Specialists | $63,000 | 65,150 | Not yet published for this period | N/A |
| Community Health Workers | $51,030 | 60,730 | Not yet published for this period | N/A |
| Medical Scientists (Except Epidemiologists) | $100,590 | 156,300 | Not yet published for this period | N/A |
Program-level earnings data from the College Scorecard tracks what graduates of specific MPH programs actually earn after completing their degrees. These figures reflect real completer outcomes rather than broader occupational averages, making them a useful complement to the BLS wage data in the previous section. However, for the top MPH programs in our dataset, detailed one-year and two-year post-completion earnings are not yet published at the program level. Early-career earnings for MPH graduates vary widely depending on concentration, employer type (federal agency vs. local health department vs. nonprofit), and geography, with graduates in high-cost metro areas and federal roles typically reporting the strongest initial salaries.
Professional certification in public health is moving from a nice-to-have to a baseline expectation at competitive employers. Unlike clinical fields that require state licensure, public health operates without a mandatory gateway exam, but two voluntary credentials have become powerful signals of competence and career commitment.
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate mastery across the core domains of public health. Graduates of CEPH-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the exam through the alumni pathway.1 The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (175 scored), delivered over a four-hour session, with a passing scaled score of 500.2 In 2024, the exam fee was $385.3
Eligibility is also available to those with significant work experience: five years for bachelor’s degree holders, or three years with a graduate degree or graduate certificate. Faculty teaching in public health programs can qualify with three years of experience.1 Starting in 2026, an international pilot extends eligibility to candidates outside the U.S., with the work experience requirement waived for that cohort.5 Recertification occurs every two years and requires 50 continuing education credits, ensuring that CPH holders stay current with evolving practice.4
Federal agencies, state health departments, and large nonprofit organizations increasingly look for CPH certification as a standardized indicator of public health competency.6 The credential signals that you can apply biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and social-behavioral sciences in real-world settings.6
For those focused on health education and promotion, the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credentials, offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), are the gold standard.6 CHES eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree and coursework in health education.6 The exam includes 165 questions, with a three-hour time limit, and fees range from $260 to $300.6 Certification must be renewed every five years through 75 contact hours of continuing education.6
The advanced MCHES credential builds on CHES, requiring an active CHES certification and at least five years of work experience in health education.6 The exam mirrors the CHES format: 165 questions over three hours, with fees between $300 and $350.6 Renewal also follows a five-year cycle with 75 continuing education hours.6 The two-tier structure allows early-career professionals to demonstrate foundational skills while creating a clear pathway for senior roles.
It is critical to understand that neither CPH nor CHES/MCHES is a state-issued license. Public health does not have a licensure framework comparable to nursing, social work, or medicine. Instead, these credentials are voluntary professional certifications. However, their value is rising as employers seek standardized proof of expertise. For generalist roles in program management, epidemiology, or public health administration, the CPH often stands out. For positions centered on community outreach, health communication, or patient education, CHES or MCHES is more directly aligned. In many job postings, you will see one or the other listed as a preferred qualification, making certification a practical investment in your public health career.6
Cost is one of the biggest factors for students weighing MPH options, especially when pursuing a degree online while working. The programs below represent some of the most budget-friendly fully online MPH and public health graduate options available at accredited institutions, based on published tuition figures from the U.S. Department of Education. Note that in-state tuition at public universities can offer significant savings, and some programs charge the same rate regardless of residency.
| School | Location | Program | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | CEPH Accredited | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | Master of Public Health (MPH), Generalist | $11,334 | $24,439 | Yes | Fully Online, Asynchronous |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Master of Public Health (MPH), Generalist with concentrations in Global Health and Health Promotion | $9,062 | $24,894 | Yes | Fully Online |
| American Public University System | Charles Town, WV | Master of Public Health | $8,700 | $8,700 | Yes (through 2029) | Fully Online |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public Health Certificate (transferable to MPH) | $12,737 | $30,130 | See MPH program | Fully Online |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | Public Health Informatics Online Certificate | $17,550 | $27,748 | See MPH program | Fully Online |
Below are answers to some of the most common questions prospective students ask when evaluating MPH programs. For deeper exploration of any topic, refer to the relevant sections earlier in this guide.
CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) is an independent accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.1 It evaluates MPH programs against national standards covering curriculum, faculty quality, community engagement, and research. Graduating from a CEPH-accredited program matters because it qualifies you to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam, and many employers, particularly government agencies, prefer or require candidates from accredited programs. See the accreditation section above for a fuller breakdown.
Yes. A growing number of CEPH-accredited universities offer fully online MPH programs, letting students complete coursework, group projects, and even the applied practice experience remotely.2 Delivery formats vary by school, so confirm whether a specific program requires any on-campus intensives. The online and hybrid options section of this guide profiles several flexible formats worth considering.
Not always. Many MPH programs have dropped the GRE requirement or made it optional, though policies vary from school to school.3 Some programs waive the GRE for applicants who meet certain GPA or professional experience thresholds. Always verify current admissions requirements directly with each program. The GRE-optional section earlier in this article highlights programs that do not require the exam.
An MPH focuses on population-level health, covering areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, and disease prevention. An MHA (Master of Health Administration) centers on the operational and financial management of healthcare organizations such as hospitals and health systems. If your goal is community health, policy, or research, the MPH is typically the stronger fit. The degree comparison section above maps out how the MPH also differs from the MPA and MPP programs.
MPH graduates work in a wide range of roles, including health program managers, research coordinators, healthcare policy analysts, and epidemiologists.2 Common employers include state and local health departments, the CDC, HHS, hospitals, nonprofits, and consulting firms. The salary and careers section of this guide provides a detailed look at specific titles, typical compensation, and employer types.
Most online MPH programs take about two years of full-time study. CEPH requires a minimum of 42 semester credits (or 56 quarter credits)4, which shapes that timeline. Part-time students often finish in three to four years. Accelerated tracks at some schools can shorten the path. Check the online and part-time options section above for programs offering flexible pacing.
