Health, they say, is wealth. It is one of the most important Sustainable Development Goals in the world. However, gaining admission to some of the best Public Health Schools in the world is usually a herculean task.
Aside from letting you into the world of Public Health Scientists, this article provides information on where to get the best Public Health degree. So, The World Scholarship Forum has selected the best Public Health Colleges and universities for you, considering accreditation, tuition fees, program types, and acceptance rates.
In earlier centuries, people knew little about the causes of disease. Then, people practiced cleanliness and personal hygiene for religious reasons and to appear pure before their gods.
Besides, in the Middle Ages, diseases started spreading with the plague of 542 and ended with the Black Death (bubonic plague) of 1348. So, the main method of fighting this plague was to isolate suspected cases and persons who had been in contact with them.
Similarly, the first-ever known steps of public health were taken by attempts to handle the uncleanliness conditions of the cities and, by using quarantine, to reduce the spread of disease. Also, other measures were; the establishment of hospitals and the provision of medical care and social assistance.
Table of contents
- What is Public Health?
- How long does it take to get a Public Health Degree?
- What jobs can I get with a Public health degree?
- What is the salary and job growth of Public health professionals?
- Which online schools can I earn a degree in Public Health?
- What is the average cost of getting a degree in Public health?
- What are the Best Public Health Schools in the World in 2024?
- #1. Johns Hopkins University
- #2. Harvard University
- #3. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
- #4. Columbia University
- #5. Emory University
- #6. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- #7. University of Washington
- #8. Boston University
- #9. University of California, Berkeley
- #10. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- FAQs on the Best Public Health Schools in the World
- Recommendations
What is Public Health?
The term “Public health” is the science and art of preventing diseases, prolonging life, and promoting physical and mental health, sanitation, personal hygiene, control of infectious diseases, and health service organization.
On the other hand, surveying the health of a population and the dangers it faces is the fundamentals for public health. In general, public health deals with protecting the health of the entire populations. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire country or region of the world.
Furthermore, public health is a versatile field covering fields like epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services management. Also, the other relevant subfields in public health are environmental health, community health, behavioral health, health economics, public policy, mental health, health education, occupational safety, gender issues in health, and sexual and reproductive health.
Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or repeating by implementing educational programs, suggesting policies, giving services, and carrying out research. Basically, this is different from clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, because they focus on treating people after they become sick or injured.
How long does it take to get a Public Health Degree?
Actually, a bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete and gives a solid and broad background of information and training in the public health field.
Also, an MPH degree requires only 42 to 45 credit hours within two years if the student attends school full-time. Similarly, a 43-credit-hour master’s degree in Public health comprises 15 courses. Each of these courses takes atleast 8 weeks, which means it will take approximately two and a half years.
It may take part-time students four to five years to finish their degree. Although, within 14 to 16 months, one may complete accelerated programs.
You can also read: Top 10 Marketable careers in Public Health | 2024
What jobs can I get with a Public health degree?
Actually, a bachelor’s degree in public health can give you an excellent foundation in most jobs you can ever think of. Though, some of these jobs always need a graduate degree or additional, specialized training.
However, here are the jobs you can get with a degree in Public health:
- Public Health Doctor
- Management Policy Advisor
- Public Health Dentist
- Medical Director
- Public Health Veterinarian
- Tropical Disease Expert
- Public Health Lawyer
- HIV Specialist
- Public Health Engineer
- Health Center Administrator
- Director of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
- Vaccine Researcher
- Epidemiologist
- Nurse Educator
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What is the salary and job growth of Public health professionals?
Actually, a lot of job opportunities are available for public health professionals. Hence, the employment outlook for Public Health scientists is expected to grow by 8% yearly.
Basically, this is because governments and healthcare agencies are now focusing more on preventative care. Hence, public health professionals help prevent people from getting sick in the first place with good health practices in the community.
On the other hand, the salary rates are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. According to the BLS, the median salary for Public Health Scientists is $118,160, which is the highest in this field. However, the lowest earners in this field are those in the Biomedical laboratory, with a salary range of $31,000-$76,000.
You can also check this: Top 15 Ph.D. Scholarships for Public Health Students 2024
Which online schools can I earn a degree in Public Health?
Well, students that wish to start or further their careers in public health will find online public health degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Below is a list of online accredited schools where you can earn a degree in Public Health.
| Institution | Number of Programs | Accreditation | Annual Tuition |
| American Public University System | 462 programs. 9 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $6,880 |
| Arizona State University | 223 programs. 7 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $15,691 – $27,372 |
| Capella University | 327 Programs, 8 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $14,250 |
| Ashford University | 212 Programs, 2 in Public Health | WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) | $10,632 – $13,400 |
| Central Michigan University | 91 Programs, 4 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $23,670 |
| Chicago School of Professional Psychology Online | 45 Programs, 4 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $13,530 |
| Columbia Southern University | 75 Programs, 7 in Public Health | Distance Education Accrediting Commission | $6,600 |
| Creighton University | 75 Programs, 5 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $38,750 |
| Benedictine University | 41 Programs, 9 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $33,900 |
| Bellevue University | 189 Programs, 4 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $7,752 |
| Concordia University – Wisconsin | 92 Programs, 2 in Public Health | Higher Learning Commission | $28,600 |
| California Baptist University | 52 Programs, 2 in Public Health | WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) | $32,256 |
| Central Washington University | 45 Programs, 2 in Public Health | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | $22,010 |
| Auburn University | 129 Programs, 2 in Public Health | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | $29,640 |
| Appalachian State University | 47 Programs, 2 in Public Health | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | $22,109 |
What is the average cost of getting a degree in Public health?
The average undergraduate student pays $9,970 as tuition yearly when attending an in-state public institution and $25,620 at an out-of-state public school. This is according to the College Board report in 2017. Also, students that study at private universities pay the highest. The tuition fee is $34,740.
What are the Best Public Health Schools in the World in 2024?
With all the information on what Public Health professionals do and how much they earn, if you need to get a degree, enroll in the best program in the best schools. Practically, the school you attend will set aside other factors that influence your career.
Hence, we have put together a list of the best schools for public health in the world that offer either bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees for you.
More importantly, our top ten public health colleges and universities were selected based on uniRank’s ranking of world universities, our information from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review.
So, based on the ranking criteria above and our invaluable source of information, here is a list of our 10 best graduate schools for public health in the world:
- Johns Hopkins University
- Harvard University
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Columbia University
- Emory University
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- University of Washington
- Boston University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
#1. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876. It is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. This institution was named after its first benefactor, Johns Hopkins.
However, the public health program offers two unique study-abroad programs in South Africa and Uganda. Similarly, students doing this program earn a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Studies (BA). Also, they may decide to finish the accelerated master’s program to acquire a Master of Health Science (MHS) or Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH).
Similarly, Johns Hopkins is one of the best public health schools and has an acceptance rate of 13% and a graduation rate of 93%. On the other hand, the student-faculty ratio is 7:1. Also, this school has a tuition fee of $55,357.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
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#2. Harvard University
This is a large private university Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has an enrollment of 7,147 undergraduate students.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral public health degrees. To earn a master’s degree from this university, you must have a bachelor’s degree, two years of relevant work experience, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, and an acceptable GRE score.
On the other hand, Havard University has an acceptance rate of 5% and a graduation rate of 96%. Also, the student-faculty ratio of this best school for public health is 7:1, while the tuition fee is $47,074.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Address: Massachusetts Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
#3. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Its Global Public Health department houses around 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students annually. Also, the public health department offers students the opportunity to continue their degree at the graduate level in the same program.
In addition, the acceptance rate is 27%, while the graduation rate of 90%. The faculty-student ratio is 13:1, while the tuition fee is $8,987 (in-state) and $35,170 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Address: Chapel Hill, NC, United States
#4. Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City that was established in 1754. In fact, this school is the oldest institution of higher education in New York.
Mailman School of Public Health has a unique and practical MPH program. Also, students here first take a core broken down into six “studios.” The studios are further broken down into 18 modules.
Furthermore, this best public health school in the world has an acceptance rate of 7% and a graduation rate of 95%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 6:1, while the tuition fee is $55,272.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Address: New York, NY 10027, United States
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#5. Emory University
This is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1836 as Emory College in Oxford, Georgia.
The Rollins School of Public Health offers a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in public health. Also, graduate students of public health must complete a 200-400 hour practicum to get real-world experience.
Thus, Emory University has an acceptance rate of 25% and a graduation rate of 91%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 9:1, while its tuition fee is $53,294.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Address: 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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#6. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
This is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the oldest university in Michigan. Basically, Michigan graduate and undergraduate students do public health through the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
In fact, the only degree available is a minor in Global Public Health and Epidemiology for undergraduate students.
Also, this best school of public health has an acceptance rate of 29% and a graduation rate of 91%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 15:1 while its tuition fee is $16,703 (in-state) and $53,099 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Address: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
#7. University of Washington
This is a public research university in Seattle, Washington that was founded in 1861.
Basically, the study of Anthropology and Public Health in this public health school is interrelated. In fact, the students of this program can choose the Global Health and Environment track within the Anthropology major. The program also offers a minor in Global Health and Environment.
Thus, similarly to this program is the Medicine and Society Program. In fact, it is a four-year fellowship awarded to twenty incoming freshmen that want to combine medicine with the greater good of society.
In addition, as one of the best public health graduate schools, the University of Washington has an acceptance rate of 45% and a graduation rate of 84%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 19:1 while its tuition fee is $16,590 (Washington residents) and $28,881 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Address: 1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, United States
#8. Boston University
Boston University is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. This institution has been historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Also, this institution has above 3,900 faculty members and almost 33,000 students.
Basically, undergraduates in the public health department can enroll in the five-year Bachelor of Arts or Science and Master of Public Health program.
Although the class requirements are a little bit different. However, these two programs require 128 credits for the BA/BS and an extra 48 credits for the MPH.
Above all, Boston University has an acceptance rate of 29% and a graduation rate of 85%. Also, the student-faculty ratio of this best school for public health is 10:1 while the tuition fee is $53,948.
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Address: Boston, MA 02215, United States
#9. University of California, Berkeley
This is a public research university in Berkeley, California which was founded in 1868. On the other hand, some of the alumni and researchers from this school include 99 Nobel laureates, 23 Turing Award winners, and 14 Pulitzer Prize winners.
Actually, the public health program curriculum is divided into pre-health professions and policy/education. By the way, the main differences between the two are found in the biology classes. Actually, prehealth professions have upper-level biology, while policy/education does not need any biology.
Moreover, this institution which is amongst one of the best schools for public health in the world has an acceptance rate of 17%. Also, the graduation rate is 91%. Above all, the student-faculty ratio is 18:1 while the tuition fee is $14,184 (in-state) and $43,176 (out-of-state students).
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Address: f 200 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
#10. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Well, this is a public research university in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Twin Cities campus is made up of locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul
However, this best school for public health offers a minor in Public Health or a 4+1 program at the undergraduate level. Well, this program allows students to earn an MPH in Environmental Health or MS in Biostatistics plus their bachelor’s degree in just one extra year of coursework.
Furthermore, the University of Minnesota which is one of the best public health schools in the world has an acceptance rate of 44% and a graduation rate of 78%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 17:1 while the tuition fee is $14,974 (Minnesota residents) and $34,673 (out-of-state).
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission.
Address: Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
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FAQs on the Best Public Health Schools in the World
Public Health is the science and art of preventing diseases, promoting health, and improving the quality of life through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, communities, and individuals.
Admission requirements may vary depending on the school and program, but most public health schools require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and proficiency in English. Some programs may also require standardized test scores, such as the GRE.
Public health graduates can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors, including positions in government agencies, non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and research organizations. Some common job titles include epidemiologist, health educator, healthcare administrator, policy analyst, and environmental health specialist.
Conclusion
Good health requires the commitment of everyone in the society. And there are steps each of us can take to promote and protect health.
If you are a seasoned health advocate wishing to advance your career or you want to pursue a career in Health Sciences, these best public health schools in the world listed here are some of the highly-rated around.
However, most of them offer any kind of programs you would want to take. You can get programs ranging from BPH, MSc, and Ph.D. in public health.
After reading this post, you can share your knowledge and progress and inspire your friends and family to do the same.
References
- Masters in Public Health
- Public health – Wikipedia
- Top 25 MPH in Global Health Programs
- 2020 Best Colleges for Public Health
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