Is a master's in public health worth it

Master of public health (MPH) programs train students for public health careers in community, field, and research settings, but does the degree deliver value? Explore answers to this common and important question.

What will you learn in an MPH program?

MPH programs mainly focus on developing applied public health skills. Courses typically explore:

• Biostatistics and epidemiology
• Community, environmental, and occupational health promotion
• Healthcare systems
• Public health policy and administration

In addition, programs often emphasize infectious disease control and public health interventions — concepts that were high-profile during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can pursue a generalist MPH degree or a concentration in an area like:

• Epidemiology and biostatistics
• Food systems and nutrition
• Global public health
• Infectious disease management
• Pediatrics or gerontology

MPH programs often have higher credit requirements than standard master's programs, about 40–80 credits, depending on the program's structure and intensity. Full-time students can usually graduate in about 2–3 years.

How much does a master's degree in public health cost?

According to 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), online master's students in health professions programs paid a median annual tuition and fees of $10,521. For in-person programs, that figure rose to $13,200 per year.

Your program could carry higher or lower costs, depending on factors like your school's location, prestige, and reputation. NCES data shows that public institutions tend to charge lower tuition fees than private schools. However, private institutions may offer more financial aid, which may lower your net price of attendance.

If you need financial aid, explore these options first:

• Scholarships
• Fellowships
• Grants
• Campus-based employment

Loans lead to long-term debt, so use them sparingly and only if you're out of other options.

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

MPH degree holders often go on to become epidemiologists or community health workers. BLS job growth projections for 2023–33 project 19% job growth for epidemiologists and 13% job growth for community health workers. Both rates far exceed the 4% projected growth rate for all occupations across the decade.

The BLS reports that advancing technology will facilitate the discovery of new diseases, leading to increased demand for epidemiologists. Approximately 800 epidemiologist positions will open annually from 2023–33, according to the Bureau.

The BLS projects about 7,500 annual job openings for community health workers during the same period.

Is an MPH degree worth it?

MPH degrees can lead to public health roles with growth and advancement potential and higher-than-average salaries. For example, BLS salary data from 2023 cited median annual earnings of $81,390 for epidemiologists.

Public health jobs also tend to weather economic downturns relatively well. The COVID-19 pandemic also illustrated how suddenly and dramatically the demand for public health professionals can soar during a crisis situation.

Yet, MPH degrees require significant investments of both time and money. Is an MPH worth it for you? The answer primarily depends on your future earning potential both with and without the degree.

Because the MPH is a terminal degree, it often functions as a standard credential for public health careers. If this is what you aspire to, an MPH program may deliver value.