Is a degree in public health worth it?

Written by: Jason Lee, Edited by: Jenny Kiesewetter

Published: February 11, 2025

While doctors and nurses are important to the health and wellbeing of our communities, a significant portion of the progress we see each year comes from the efforts of public health workers and officials. With a degree in public health, you may learn skills to help drive meaningful change and empower people and communities to be healthier and happier.

Learn about the benefits and potential salaries associated with earning a bachelor's in public health degree to help you determine if pursuing one is worthwhile for you.

What is a bachelor's degree in public health?

A bachelor's degree in public health is a four-year program designed to prepare students for a wide array of careers in the public health sector. A public health degree can be used as a prerequisite for medical school, but it also can be used to prepare you for several other careers in the private and government sectors.

Some of the topics covered while earning a bachelor's in public health degree include:

Environmental health
Health administration
Chemistry
Global health
Social determinants of health

Additionally, some public health degree programs may allow students to concentrate their studies in a specific area of health, such as epidemiology, health policy and management, environmental health, or emergency management.

Benefits of a bachelor's degree in public health

Besides being a strong prerequisite for advanced schooling, a degree in public health comes with many additional benefits, including:

Unique opportunities in private, nonprofit, and government agencies
Direct pathways to an industry that is poised to continue growing rapidly
Involvement in initiatives that impact the health and happiness of your local, national, or global community
Opportunities to impact policy on a national and global scale to combat disease, strengthen disaster relief efforts, and contribute to social change

How much money can you make with a bachelor's degree in public health?

When it comes to job opportunities with a bachelor's degree in public health, several career pathways may be available. Here are a few common options, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Environmental health specialist

Median annual salary (May 2023):$78,980
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 7%

Health education specialist

Median annual salary (May 2023):$62,860
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 7%

Community health worker

Median annual salary (May 2023):$48,200
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 13%

Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in public health degree

Are graduates of a bachelor's degree in public health in demand?

With the healthcare field expected to continue growing, the demand for professionals with a bachelor’s in public health degree is also expected to increase. One of the most in-demand careers for graduates of public health programs is community health worker, with jobs for this role projected to grow by 13% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.

How much can you earn with a bachelor's in public health degree?

Environmental health specialists — a role you can qualify for with a bachelor's in public health degree — earn a median annual salary of $78,980 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Another role you can qualify for with a bachelor's in public health degree is community health worker, and these professionals earn a median annual salary of $48,200 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.

What is the difference between public health and community degrees?

While the subject matter covered with public health and community degrees is quite similar in nature, there are nuanced differences that are most easily seen in the application of the knowledge and skills learned in these programs. Public health jobs tend to deal with larger-scale efforts that may occur on a state, national, or global level. By contrast, community health tends to deal with hyper-localized areas like an individual city or neighborhood.

While the goals of both degrees are similar, the skills to achieve these goals will differ slightly due to the size and scope of operations.

Skill Development

Career

Social Science