The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies public health as a Medical and Health Services career and estimates a 17% job growth rate over the next ten years. With an average salary of $94,500 annually, graduates of public health programs can anticipate employment in hospitals, physician offices, government agencies and home healthcare services.
Public Health Service in the United States dates back to 1798 with the creation of hospitals for merchant seamen. Over the decades, this field has expanded to provide services in the event of disasters, emergencies, disease outbreak, food and drug administration and healthcare policies and standards.
A bachelors degree in public health is needed for entry-level positions in this field and, frequently, employers prefer a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
Best Medical Degrees, using information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. News and World Report, accrediting organizations and school tuition information, has compiled a list of the 10 cheapest online bachelor degrees in public health.
Accreditation
You should look for a school that holds accreditation. This verifies that the school meets, or exceeds, educational standards as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. Accredited schools are accredited regionally by one of six regional, independent accrediting bodies: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and The Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent, accrediting organization and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a qualified accreditor for academic standards.
Tuition
Higher education is expensive, no doubt; but, there are tuition assistance options for undergraduates.
Employer Assistance
Employers often provides employee benefits that includes help with tuition for employees furthering their education in their job field. Check with your Human Resource department to see if your employer provides this benefit and application procedures.
Federal Student Aid
The federal government provides financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and student loans. Application for federal assistance may be found on the Department of Education website Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Veterans, Spouses and Dependents
Several schools provide military tuition discounts for active, or retired, military personnel. This information is frequently included in the school’s website.
1. Brigham Young University-Idaho
This is a private, four year university affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which was founded in 1888 in Rexburg, Idaho as Bannack Stake Academy, originally offering elementary-level coursework. Over the ensuing years, the small academy grew and became part of Brigham Young University. The university now provides more than 100 Bachelor degrees and has an enrollment of approximately 16,000 students per semester. BYU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and holds a #13 ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s Best College Rankings.
BYU-Idaho offers an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis on health education and promotion. Students are required to complete 40 hours of core courses before beginning coursework in exercise physiology, drugs of use and abuse, nutrient metabolism, communicable and non-communicable diseases, community health methods, etc. Graduates are qualified for positions as a public health educator, research coordinator, environmental health specialist or health promotion specialist/manager.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $1,915
2. University of North Carolina Greensboro
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges, the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNC-G) was established in 1891, UNC-G and ranks #187 in National Universities, #149 Best Colleges For Veterans and #105 in Top Public Colleges by U.S. News and World Report’s university and college rankings. With an undergraduate enrollment of over 15,000 students, UNC-G has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health available online.
Studies for this degree include introduction to public health, public health diseases, race, ethnicity and health, gender and health and epidemiology, etc. Successful students will be qualified to work health related fields with hospitals, clinics, local, state and federal agencies to identify public health issues, develop education and prevention plans and promote health in communities.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $1,940 (Residents); $7,965 (Non Residents)
3. American Public University
Started in 1991 to provide online education for the military, American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and boasts an enrollment of 96,000 students. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the #58 spot of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, American Public University is based in Charles Town, West Virginia and offers 190 online degrees and certificates.
American Public University offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, which includes studies in public healthcare administration, crisis communication and management, nutrition and exercise physiology, emergency and crisis management and the U.S. health system. Geared towards working professionals who want to advance their education in the public health field or students who wish to enter the public health field as an educator, health services manager or occupational health and safety manager.
Length of Program: 121 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $3,240
4. Walden University
Begun in 1970, by two teachers wanting to provide a means for students to receive their doctoral degrees online, Walden University has been accredited by the Health Commission on Learning (HLC) since 1990 and currently has an enrollment of over 15,000 nationally and has 10 colleges and offers 80 degrees with more than 370 degrees and concentrations. Walden University provides an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree.
With a curriculum covering disaster and emergency management, health management, health promotion and wellness, health communication and health psychology and behavior, this degree will prepare students to work in the public sector as a health program director, community outreach coordinator, public health emergency preparedness and response coordinator. The school offers a generous 135 credit hour transfer policy for students who may have an associate degree or partial college credit.
Length of Program: 181 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Quarter: $3,801
5. Northern Arizona University
Established in 1899, Northern Arizona University started as Arizona State College. Renamed Northern Arizona University in 1966, the university now has an enrollment of over 5,000 online students and a campus enrollment of over 20,000 students in over 91 undergraduate, 60 graduate and 69 online degree programs. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the university has been recognized for several undergraduate programs by U.S. News and World Report.
Through its College of Health and Human Services, Northern Arizona University offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences degree with a concentration in public health. Following completion of university requisite courses, the public health major will study nutrition, biology, psychology, health communication, health policies law and ethics, identifying population health challenges, etc. The school offers a tuition pledge that students will pay the same tuition amount throughout their four years of study. Northern Arizona University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $3,824 (Residents); $10,206 (Non Residents)
6. Kent State University
Kent State University’s College of Public Health was created in 2009 and provides an online undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science Public Health. The College of Public Health is accredited the Board of Councilors of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)and the university holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Kent State University was founded in 1910 and its main campus is in Kent, Ohio. KSU has been ranked #175 in National Universities, #139 Best Colleges for Veterans and #98 in Top Public Schools by U.S. News and World Report.
This degree offers three tracks from which to choose in Allied Health, Health Promotion and Education and Health Services Administration. Students choosing the Allied Health track are expected to currently hold, or pursuing, a license in an allied health field. The Health Promotion and Education track exposes students to the social detriment on health by use of alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, violence and tobacco. The Health Services Administration track prepares students to enter healthcare administration and management.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $4,196 (Residents); $4,100 (Non-Residents)
7. Southern New Hampshire University
Accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., Southern New Hampshire University is located in Manchester, New Hampshire; and, had its beginnings in 1932 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Services. Through several name changes, the university was granted its charter by the state in 1963 to award degrees; and, in 2001, the school changed its name to Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as #131 in its National Universities ranking, #1 in Most Innovative Schools and #90 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
This Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree is offered 100% online and students are prepared to enter the workforce in community health, health educator or medical and health services managers. Coursework includes study in epidemiology, biological concepts in public health, fundamentals in public health, public health education and communication, as well as social and behavioral health, etc. The private, nonprofit school offers a reduced tuition for active military and spouses.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $4,800
8. Northeastern University
Ranked #6 in Most Innovative Schools, #47 National Universities and #38 in Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report, Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts has a total enrollment of over 13,000 students. Northeastern University was founded in 1898 and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
The university offers a Bachelor of Science Human Services degree with coursework in public health, introduction to clinical practice, social welfare, policies and services, social psychology, human behavior in the social environment and family functions and dysfunctions.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $5,040
9. Excelsior College
Established in 1971 by the New York State Board of Regents, Excelsior College is a private, nonprofit institution and is accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education and has an enrollment of over 40,000 students. The school offers and online Bachelor of Science degree with a Public Health emphasis.
Credit is given to those students who currently have state licenses and coursework will include studies in writing and communication in health sciences, health care issues in diverse populations, research in evidence-based practices, introduction to healthcare delivery systems and a capstone project. Graduates should expect to be able to find employment in hospitals, nonprofit agencies, community clinics and local, state and federal agencies.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $5,728
10. University of South Florida
Based in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida was founded in 1956 and has a current enrollment of over 31,000 students. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges and has been ranked #156 in National Universities, #127 Best Colleges for Veterans and #84 in Top Public Schools by U.S. News and World Report.
The University of South Florida provides a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with a concentration in public health. Coursework in this major includes, among others, studies in foundations of food safety, health, behavior and society, emerging infectious diseases, pop culture, vices and epidemiology and healthcare ethics. The program is designed to assist Florida students currently holding an Associates degree.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost Per Semester: $6,410