Public health professionals promote individual and collective wellness. Individuals with a heart for service, a head for data, and a personality for community relations often thrive in this field.
In the 19th century, modern public health began as an effort to control infectious diseases in urban areas. Today, public health practitioners continue this work. They also educate communities about chronic illness, address mental health needs, and explore the relationship between environmental issues and human well-being.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects community health worker and educator jobs to increase by 13% from 2019-2029. These jobs pay a median annual salary of $48,140. Our guide spotlights the top five schools for a bachelor's in public health and provides detailed information on how to prepare for careers in the field.
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Why Get This Degree? | What To Expect | Jobs | Top Program Descriptions
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri | Columbia, MO |
| 2 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ |
| 3 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA |
| 4 | Delaware State University | Dover, DE |
| 5 | Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH |
Why Get an Online Public Health Bachelor's Degree?
A pioneering public health organization founded in 1872, the American Public Health Association embraced a mission to control diseases such as tuberculosis. Today, more than 127,000 public health practitioners combat contagious disease and improve quality of life for at-risk populations. These professionals work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, international non-governmental organizations, and universities.
For individuals who enjoy collecting data and working with people, a bachelor of science in public health is the first step toward many rewarding career options.
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Globalization, the rise in telemedicine, and an aging population have all contributed to growing interest in public health. On the heels of the 2020 pandemic, public health concerns appear likely to continue to increase in importance.
For individuals who enjoy collecting data and working with people, a bachelor of science in public health is the first step toward many rewarding career options. Earning this degree online allows students to maintain work and family obligations while pursuing a public health career.
Sense of Purpose
Public health offers an array of meaningful career options. Professionals in the field help others live healthier and more satisfying lives. The field incorporates diverse activities and job environments.
Problem-solving Skills
Public health experts find solutions for complex problems. These professionals leverage their knowledge of statistics, health interventions, and ethics to meet real community needs. They may help curb infectious disease spread or mitigate chronic illness effects.
Job Security
The BLS projects that the number of community health workers and educators will grow by 13% between 2019 and 2029. This high growth projection indicates a robust job market with emerging opportunities and low unemployment.
What To Expect From Bachelor's in Public Health Programs
Public health programs prepare students to make an impact on community health. Graduates develop the skills to coordinate efforts such as infant care programs, diabetes management initiatives, or aging in place operations.
The first public health agency opened in New York City in 1866. Today, public health forms a major component of global development. Tomorrow's public health leaders can jumpstart their careers by earning a public health bachelor's degree online. Typically, this four-year degree requires 120 credits comprising general education requirements, a public health core, specialization courses, and electives. Most programs also require an internship.
Specializations may include health education, community health, environmental health, and global health. Curricular content often draws from law, policy, ethics, leadership theory, statistics, social sciences, and epidemiology.
Scholarships, federal grants, and employee tuition reimbursement programs can help learners finance their bachelor's studies. Students may also lower their educational costs by attending school in state.
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Admission Requirements
Bachelor's applicants typically need a GED certificate or high school diploma. Many schools also maintain minimum GPA requirements. Students must often submit ACT or SAT scores, so preparing for these tests can help rising college freshmen enter the school of their choice.
Universities may set different requirements for degree-seekers who have been out of school for two years or more, military service members, or homeschooled students. For instance, schools may waive GPA requirements for applicants with professional public health experience.
Prospective students must fill out an application form and pay a fee of $50-$100. As of 2021, over 900 colleges accept applications through the Common App. This site guides users through the application process and provides a one-stop shop for learners to submit required materials.
Degree Options
Students can earn one of several bachelor's degrees in public health, including the bachelor's in public health (BPH), bachelor of science (BS), bachelor of health science (BHS), and bachelor of science in environmental health (BSEH). While these options vary in emphasis, all four provide a robust public health education.
The BPH prepares students for public health careers and master's programs. The BS in public health emphasizes natural sciences. BS graduates often work in laboratory settings or conduct research. In contrast, the BHS focuses on health-related professions. BHES curricula primarily explore the relationship between human health and environmental factors. For instance, BHES candidates might examine how climate change or disaster preparedness affect public health.
In general, BPH, BHS, and BHES programs cater to students pursuing public health administration work while the BS emphasizes preparation for science-based health careers.
Popular Public Health Courses
The curriculum for a bachelor of science in public health degree varies by school. However, public health programs typically incorporate a general education component and a public health core. They may also include electives in the major, free electives, and real-world learning experiences.
How Much Will a Bachelor's in Public Health Cost?
The cost of a bachelor's degree varies by institution, major, and student. For example, public schools typically cost less than private institutions. Unsurprisingly, prestigious colleges and universities often command higher tuition rates than lesser-known schools. Additionally, students should budget for fees, technology costs, transportation expenditures, and living expenses.
Online public health students often benefit from in-state tuition rates even if they live out of state. Some employers also help cover college-related expenses. Government grants and private scholarships can supply additional funding. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health maintains a list of relevant scholarships for students in this major. The links below provide more information about financial aid options.
Jobs for BPH Graduates
Public health professionals promote community wellbeing and help people live longer, better lives. Earning a bachelor of public health online can lead civic-minded graduates into a variety of impactful occupations. A master's or doctorate in public health can help bachelor's graduates further advance their careers in this growing field.
According to BLS data, some public health practitioners, such as physicians, earn nearly five times the national median salary. Others, like health educators, garner more modest wages. Data-focused professions like biostatistics may see rapid growth in the near future.
Public health educators often teach health education courses in K-12 schools. These professionals also research community health trends, collect and analyze data, and create community health education initiatives. They may advocate for public health and health education initiatives at the local, state, or federal level.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree Job Outlook (2019-29):+13%Median Annual Salary:$46,910
Registered nurses specializing in public health may provide medical care but focus on community health outreach. These professionals educate community members about illness and health promotion. Public health nurses conduct research, analyze community healthcare trends, and design interventions to prevent disease and foster wellness.
Required Education: Bachelor's degree Job Outlook (2019-29):+7%Median Annual Salary:$75,330
Public health physicians devote their time and expertise to community-oriented campaigns and initiatives. They provide clinical care, often to patients from underserved communities. They also perform health policy, epidemiology, and biostatistics research. These physicians frequently hold both a medical degree and a Ph.D. in a related field.
Required Education: Doctorate Job Outlook (2019-29):+4%Median Annual Salary:$208,000
Choosing the Right Public Health Bachelor's Program
Prospective students should carefully analyze their options when selecting their top choices for a bachelor of public health online program. A ranking like ours offers a great starting place, but degree-seekers should look deeper at what they want from a degree and what schools offer.
Any university under consideration should hold schoolwide accreditation. U.S. accreditation comes in three types: national, programmatic, and regional. Regional and national accrediting bodies assess entire institutions, with regional accreditation representing the gold standard. Many of the best public health programs and departments also hold programmatic accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health.
Additionally, prospective students should consider factors such as cost, program culture, staff credentials and diversity, alumni network, and prestige. A standout school should offer positive graduate career placement stats alongside affordable tuition and robust financial aid. Students must also consider whether they meet a program's fundamental admission requirements.
Why You Should Get Your Bachelor of Public Health Online
Easily adaptable to a distance learning format, online public health programs allow degree-seekers already working in the field to implement their new knowledge at their workplaces. Many students welcome the opportunity to earn a degree without compromising work, family, or household responsibilities.
During the COVID pandemic, online learning sent nearly every American student to the kitchen table for an education — from kindergarteners to doctoral candidates. Each learner must decide for themselves whether online learning is right for them. Some students enjoy a traditional classroom's face-to-face interaction while others prefer an online environment's flexibility and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 5 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Schools for 2021
Due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 offers many opportunities in health education and promotion. Aspiring healthcare leaders can jump-start their careers with a bachelor of public health online. Our list of the top five accredited schools below can help prospective students search for the right program.
Accreditation ensures that higher education institutions meet certain standards of quality. Each school on our list holds regional accreditation, which is the gold standard of institutional accreditation. Some programs also hold industry-specific accreditation in public health. Relevant accrediting bodies include the following:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)