Navigating Your Way to the Best Public Health School: Criteria, Tips, and Top Picks

Published on: Jan 28, 2025
Kerra Henkin headshot

WRITTEN BY

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML
Katherine Paul

REVIEWED BY

Katherine Paul, MPH

Choosing where to complete your graduate public health education is an important decision that will shape your career in public health. It’s essential to find a school that will be the right fit for you based on your individual career goals. As you will see in this article, different public health schools offer different concentrations, partnership opportunities, fieldwork and applied practical experiences, alumni networks, dual degree options, and research focus areas.

To assess formal rankings, U.S. News & World Report publishes annual rankings and ratings of the Best Public Health Schools in the country. Their methodology incorporates peer and faculty assessments of academic quality, cost, financial aid, job placements, location, and environment. Those rankings are a great jumping off point, but keep reading to learn how to pick the best public health program for you. 

Understanding Public Health Education

Public health is an essential part of society and impacts our daily lives. From tracking disease outbreaks and preventing illness to ensuring we have safe modes of transportation and access to healthy foods, the field of public health works tirelessly to improve quality of life and keep people healthy1. As an industry, public health is projected to grow over the next decade, with health service managers increasing by almost 30%2 (compared to a 6% growth of managers in non-health-related fields)2. While there are many domestic implications for public health, public health also plays a crucial role in the global landscape. 

Globally, public health works to promote healthy behaviors, address environmental hazards, manage and prevent infectious diseases, and improve health equity across borders. Witnessing the hardships of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we saw firsthand that public health truly is a global field. It works to improve population health at the largest scale, dealing with things like global pandemics, poverty, and climate change. Public health has been around for centuries and transcends national borders, languages, ethnicities, and all social constructs.

There are various core disciplines within public health, such as epidemiology, health policy, community health, and environmental health. If you are unsure which discipline is right for you, take a look at the type of organization, job, or career path you would like to pursue.

  • What is the focus of that pathway?

  • Are you interested in studying disease?

Many schools offer concentrations in epidemiology.

  • Are you interested in lobbying or working for the government on systemic policies?

Public health policy may be the pathway for you.

  • Are you interested in managing a hospital or health system?

Healthcare management or health services studies are great options.

With this significant growth in the field of public health, there is an increasing need and importance in getting your Master of Public Health degree.

Criteria for Evaluating Public Health Schools

When evaluating public health schools, there are some important criteria to consider, including academic excellence, accreditation, resources and facilities, and alumni and networking opportunities.

  • Academic Excellence:

    To gauge academic excellence, explore factors such as faculty qualifications, research output, and academic rankings. Every year, U.S. News and World Report publishes rankings for a variety of categories including news and travel, health, and education. Included in these rankings is a list of the best public health schools in the country. Essentially, the company sends out assessments to deans, administrators, and faculty in these public health degree programs to assess the quality of the academic programs.

    For people interested in a specific specialty in public health (i.e., biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, and health policy and management), there are additional rankings to include these topic areas. They also rank public health schools based on research output, which can be incredibly helpful if you are interested in pursuing research either in or after graduate school.

  • Accreditation:

    The Council on Education for Public Health, an independent accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, is charged with accrediting public health programs in the United States. Students can search prospective Master of Public Health programs to learn basic information about the program history, curriculum, concentration areas (such as community health sciences, global public health, and health management), and links to the official program website. You can learn more about the Council on Education for Public Health’s accreditation procedures here.

  • Resources and Facilities:

    Your graduate school professors will likely be established and renowned individuals in the field. Utilize them for advice, networking opportunities, and mentorship. Take a look at their bios and LinkedIn profiles. These faculty will be your advisors and resources while you are in your public health program; take advantage of their knowledge and networks, and choose a program with professors that have common interests, research publications, or experiences that appeal to you.

    Additionally, look into your prospective school’s facilities. If you are attending an in-person graduate program, you will likely be spending a lot of time around your school. Are there specific amenities you want your program to have? A private vs public university may offer different housing options; some schools offer more hands-on public health practice experience and some may offer more comprehensive health care. These are all things to take into account when considering Master of Public Health education programs.

  • Alumni and Networking Opportunities:

    We know that networking is an integral part of professional life nowadays. Being in graduate school cultivates countless networking opportunities with alumni, program faculty, and the industry connections they may have. Many schools have MPH alumni networks that will host mentorship and networking events. Do a quick Google search to find alumni and see their trajectory post graduation — how successful are they in the public health sector? There are also offices of student affairs to promote student engagement both within the university and in the neighboring community.

    Schools have relationships with local organizations, health systems, nongovernmental organizations, and government officials. Most graduate public health schools will require some type of internship or practicum that is incorporated into their curriculum. Look into the partnerships that your prospective school cultivates and choose a program with partnering organizations that interest you. Additionally, universities will sponsor career fairs and mentorship programs, often having at least one administrator dedicated to student employment and community outreach.

Specializations and Concentrations

Most MPH programs will allow students to complete their degree focused on a specific concentration within public health, such as global health, health policy, environmental health, or health administration. Specializations are great for students who are interested in pursuing a specific path in public health, such as international affairs, hospital management, or environmental work. If you are interested in a specific topic area within public health, look at the curriculums of schools that you are interested in. They should list core required courses and opportunities for electives, along with specialization options.

To avoid getting overwhelmed with options, evaluate the strengths of a program’s specialization by looking at the faculty's expertise and specialized resources. If you are interested in global health, check to see if any faculty members have worked on public health initiatives internationally. If you are interested in environmental health, see if any faculty have experience working with the EPA or on local climate initiatives. Look into the resources the university provides for students who are interested in specializing.

Do they have partnerships with federal agencies or local organizations related to your topic of interest? Do they offer internships or field placements with pertinent organizations? These are all things to consider when evaluating potential public health programs.

In addition to general public health concentrations, there are some schools of public health that are known widely for their specialization areas, such as Johns Hopkins University for Global Health and Harvard University for Health Policy.

Practical Considerations

In addition to the other important evaluation criteria, there are practical things to consider when looking at MPH programs. Examine factors like location and accessibility, cost and financial aid, and student support services when looking into MPH programs.

Location and Accessibility: With a surplus of MPH programs in a variety of geographic environments, it’s important to consider location in your search. Some questions to consider:

Where do you want to live during your graduate studies experience? There are Master of Public Health programs located in urban, suburban, and rural parts of the country. If you want to live in a big city, consider Tufts University’s School of Public Health, the Boston University School of Public Health, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, or Berkeley Public Health, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, or California State University school of public health in Los Angeles. If you want to live in a more suburban area or a smaller city, consider Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health in New Orleans, the UNC’s Gillings School of Public Health in Chapel Hill, or the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. If you are looking to earn your MPH degree online, Southern New Hampshire University offers a fully online program that you can complete from anywhere.

What type of job do you want to have after graduating? If you want to work for the CDC, consider Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health located near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta. If you want to work in community health education, consider a school that has deep ties to its community, like Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health. If you are interested in public health science and health equity, the Colorado School of Public Health is a great option.

Cost and Financial Aid: It is no secret that public health is not the highest-paying field. As of October 2024, the national average salary for a public health job in the United States was $79,6573. An MPH degree at one of the top public health schools can cost anywhere between around $20,000 and $80,000. You don’t want to enroll in a public health graduate program that will break the bank, so it’s important to take finances and scholarships into consideration when looking into graduate school. 

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows loan forgiveness for government workers or non-profit employees. After paying a percentage of one's loan that is proportionate to their salary for 120 months (non-consecutively), the remaining balance of an individual’s loan is forgiven.  

  • Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant Positions: Most graduate schools offer graduate assistant and teaching assistant positions to students in exchange for stipends and/or reduced or free cost of tuition. Individuals will often be paired with a specific course or professor and be assigned research, grading, or other similar entry-level work. Typical hours can range from five to 20 and are often completed asynchronously. These positions are advertised on university websites so take a look at your prospective program’s opportunities to learn more. 

  • Scholarships: There is an abundance of public health and MPH scholarships that you may be eligible for. In addition to school-specific scholarships, there are over 70 private, non-profit, and government-sponsored scholarships available for public health students. Many scholarships target specific public health concentration areas, such as health administration, public health practice, health policy, and environmental health sciences.

  • Student Support Services: There will be many support services available for you in graduate school, including career services and mental health support. Most universities will have career services including sponsored career fairs, mentorship programs, and often at least one administrator dedicated to student employment and community outreach. Data from 2018 found that only 6% of public health graduates were unemployed after graduating, so the question is not “Can I get a job?”, but “Which job will be the best fit for me?” In addition to supporting your professional development, many schools will have a ‘CAPS’ office, which houses their Counseling and Psychological Services. There will be trained therapists and social workers to help with any mental health support you may need during grad school, pertaining to your personal or professional life. 

Conducting Your Research

It’s important to conduct thorough research when choosing your future MPH program. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to best gather information about different schools.

  • 1. Utilize Official University Websites

    Each public health program has an established webpage. Explore the websites and note the concentrations, curriculum, course schedules, faculty, length of program, job placement, and partnerships offered. Many public health programs are housed within schools of medicine, such as the University of California, Davis, and the University of Southern California, while others have standalone public health schools, like George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Take a look at each program's website and get a sense of the type of degree program, school, or university that is right for you.

  • 2. Attend Open Days or Virtual Information Sessions

    Most schools offer virtual or in-person information sessions for prospective students. Attend these sessions to gather information and ask any questions you may have. This also allows you to develop relationships with the program administrators and can increase your chances of getting accepted into the program.

  • 3. Speak to Current Students and Faculty

    Utilize the network of current and former students and faculty for personalized data gathering. You are considering joining their network, so set up informational interviews to pick their brains about their experience in the MPH program, finding a job, and so on. When reaching out to people, be direct about your request and what you’re hoping to gain from the conversation.

  • 4. Review Academic Publications

    Many of your peers and professors will likely have published research during their time at the university. Review their academic publications and choose a program with people who have common interests, research publications, and experiences that appeal to you.

Resource List:

US News and Reports publishes rankings for every accredited public health program in the country. Explore where your prospective programs fall in this ranking system. In addition, you can often gauge a program’s reputation through a quick Google search. Look into the history of the program, what the school is known for, and job placement statistics after graduation.

Making the Decision

This is a great launch point for gathering information to help make your decision about where to complete your MPH degree. It’s important to consider your personal, academic, and career goals when weighing options. Below are some compiled questions we have asked throughout this article that you can continue to mull over.

  • When you look at jobs that are of interest to you, what is the focus of that pathway? Is it health sciences, environmental health, global health, public health nutrition, or policy?

  • Are there specific amenities you want your MPH program to have? Are you looking for housing, a gym, a coworking space, or health insurance?

  • How successful are the alumni of this university in the public health sector?

  • What are the backgrounds of faculty that teach in the MPH program? Has anyone worked with the EPA or climate initiatives? Does anyone have experience running a nonprofit organization or lobbying in DC?

  • What resources does the university provide for students who are interested in their offered concentrations?

  • What partnerships does the university have with local, federal, and global agencies?

  • What is the job placement rate immediately following graduation?

  • Where do you want to live during your graduate studies experience?

In addition to your goals, it’s important to align your values with the school’s mission and its approach to public health challenges. Most schools will display their mission on their website. Take a look at their mission, vision, and how they generally approach public health challenges. Does this resonate with you? Do you feel motivated and inspired to help them work towards this mission and tackle these challenges? If not, that school is probably not the right fit for you. If so, keep exploring it as a strong option.

Conclusion

Deciding where to complete your MPH degree is an important decision that should be completed with thorough research and careful consideration. Different public health schools offer different concentrations, fieldwork experiences, alumni networks, research focus areas, and partnership opportunities. Take the time to really educate yourself with your options and take proactive steps towards your public health education.

Approach this decision with a balance of factual research and personal intuition about where you will thrive. While there may be different online formal ranking systems, you know yourself best and what you are looking for out of your graduate public health education.

Start your school search early, make use of the outlined steps here, and engage with multiple sources and contacts to gather the most comprehensive information possible. Use this guide as a starting point for your exploration and come back periodically throughout your search to ensure you are considering factors that are important to you.

References

  1. https://www.apha.org/what-is-public-health

  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/healthcare-and-related/healthcare-and-related-field-of-degree.htm 

  3. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Public-Health-Salary-by-State

About the Authors

Written by:

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML, is a program manager at one of the largest academic medical centers in the country. In her current role, she aligns and expands programming with needs identified in the federally mandated community health needs assessment, and deploys organizational resources to support community health improvement. Prior to this role, she was a community health educator for an advocacy nonprofit organization in Philadelphia. She has co-authored multiple research papers on criminal justice and substance abuse, and will be presenting on law enforcement assisted diversion at the 2023 American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. 

Ms. Henkin holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master in Law (ML) from the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences from Ithaca College.

Opinions and information published by the author on MastersPublicHealth.com are of her own and do not necessarily represent the views of opinions of her employer.

Kerra Henkin headshot

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML

Program Manager

Education: University of Pennsylvania

Knowledge: Community health education

Reviewed by:

Katherine Paul, MPH

Katherine Paul, MPH is a senior project manager at a leading medical communications and publications organization. She supports multidisciplinary teams handling large-scale accounts, the deliverables of which improve health outcomes and patient well-being. Ms. Paul holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health Promotion from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health and passed the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) shortly after graduation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Dickinson College.

Ms. Paul previously worked at a public health non-profit where she managed all aspects of diverse health-related projects, including the implementation of a randomized controlled clinical trial on sexual health for teens with developmental disabilities, as well as the evaluation of a statewide tobacco cessation program with more than 20,000 annual cases. She has developed and delivered posters and presentations at national conferences including the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. 

Opinions and information published by the author here on MastersPublicHealth.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer or other organizations for my designated roles.

Katherine Paul

Katherine Paul, MPH

Editorial Lead

Education: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

Dive Deeper in Research

Resources

One Year MPH Programs: An Accelerated Master of Public Health Graduate Degree

In this article, we hope to provide a paradigm to help navigate this decision and go deeper into  what makes an accelerated MPH appealing.

Programs

Choosing the Right MPH Program in Chicago: Insights for Prospective Students

In this article, we explore how students can graduate with an MPH without taking the GRE.

Career Guides

What is CEPH accreditation?