Pursuing an MPH can open doors in epidemiology, policy, health promotion, environmental health, global health, and more. The best MPH programs combine academic rigor, real‑world field experience, strong faculty, specialization options, and strong outcomes for graduates. Below are 20 programs that perform strongly on those fronts.
Methodology
We ranked MPH programs using criteria similar to prior rankings:
– Accreditation & reputation (CEPH accredited, peer rankings)
– Field experience / practicum opportunities
– Breadth of specializations (global health, biostatistics, policy, environmental health, health equity, etc.)
– Faculty research & funding
– Career outcomes and alumni network strength
– Affordability & flexibility (tuition, online/hybrid/part‑time options, scholarships)
Top 20 MPH Programs (Highlights)
1. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Location: Baltimore, MD
Highlights: Globally preeminent; massive research output; excellence across specialties.
2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Location: Boston, MA
Highlights: Strong in policy, management, and global health; vast research funding.
3. University of Michigan School of Public Health
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Highlights: Top ranked; strong in epidemiology, biostatistics, and leadership.
4. UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Highlights: Known for intervention & policy, with wide concentration options.
5. Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
Location: Atlanta, GA
Highlights: Strong global health and infectious disease; CDC proximity.
6. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Location: New York, NY
Highlights: Excellent in environmental health, epidemiology, and policy.
7. UC Berkeley School of Public Health
Location: Berkeley, CA
Highlights: Strong in environmental and population health, policy.
8. Boston University School of Public Health
Location: Boston, MA
Highlights: Wide specialization options; strong alumni outcomes.
9. University of Washington School of Public Health
Location: Seattle, WA
Highlights: Strong in environmental health, global health, and biostatistics.
10. UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Highlights: Strong in health policy and systems; global health emphasis.
11. George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health
Location: Washington, DC
Highlights: Excellent policy exposure and government health connections.
12. University of Texas at Austin (Dell/UTSPH collaborations)
Location: Austin, TX
Highlights: Growing in data science and global health; strong in-state value.
13. University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Highlights: Strong in epidemiology and community health.
14. Cornell University Public Health Programs
Location: Ithaca, NY
Highlights: Interdisciplinary public health strengths; growing presence.
15. University of Florida College of Public Health
Location: Gainesville, FL
Highlights: Value-driven; strong rural and community health.
16. University of Maryland School of Public Health
Location: College Park, MD
Highlights: Focus on health equity, environmental health; DC proximity.
17. Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Location: New Orleans, LA
Highlights: Strong in global and tropical health.
18. Yale School of Public Health
Location: New Haven, CT
Highlights: Excellent faculty; small class sizes; research prestige.
19. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Highlights: Strong in epidemiology and environmental health.
20. University of Georgia College of Public Health
Location: Athens, GA
Highlights: Cost-effective; strong rural/community health programs.
Comparison Table (At‑a‑Glance)
| Rank | School | Location | Specialization Strengths | Applied Practice / Fieldwork | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins | Baltimore, MD | Global Health, Epidemiology | Extensive global placements | High prestige & cost |
| 2 | Harvard T.H. Chan | Boston, MA | Policy, Global Health | Policy orgs & research | Expensive; top resources |
| 3 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | Biostatistics, Env Health | Strong research labs | In‑state value |
| 4 | UNC Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Policy, Global Health | Community partnerships | Good state pricing |
| 5 | Emory (Rollins) | Atlanta, GA | Infectious Disease, Global Health | CDC proximity | Mid‑high cost |
| 6 | Columbia Mailman | New York, NY | Environmental Health, Policy | Urban health fieldwork | High living costs |
| 7 | UC Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Policy, Env Health | Environmental labs | In‑state discount |
| 8 | Boston University | Boston, MA | Policy, Global Health | Urban org partnerships | Private tuition |
| 9 | University of Washington | Seattle, WA | Global, Environmental | Global centers | Competitive funding |
| 10 | UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | Policy, Global Health | Diverse fieldwork | CA in‑state helps |
| 11 | GWU | Washington, DC | Policy, Gov Health | Policy networks | High cost of living |
| 12 | UT Austin | Austin, TX | Data, Global Health | Growing partnerships | Good in‑state value |
| 13 | University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | Epidemiology, Community | Public health infrastructure | Mid‑cost |
| 14 | Cornell | Ithaca, NY | Interdisciplinary PH | Field placements | Private tuition |
| 15 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Rural, Community Health | Field funding | Low in‑state cost |
| 16 | University of Maryland | College Park, MD | Equity, Env Health | Federal agency proximity | Public advantage |
| 17 | Tulane | New Orleans, LA | Global, Tropical | Fieldwork; tropics | Strong niche reputation |
| 18 | Yale | New Haven, CT | Policy, Global Health | International placements | High selectivity/cost |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | Epidemiology, Env Health | Applied practice | Scholarship options |
| 20 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Rural, Community Health | State health dept. work | Affordable in‑state |
Top 10 FAQs About MPH Programs
1. What are the main MPH specializations?
Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Global Health, Environmental Health, Policy & Management, Social/Behavioral Health.
2. How important is fieldwork in MPH programs?
Very—practicum experience provides hands‑on skills, networking, and can influence job placement.
3. How much can I earn with an MPH?
Graduates can earn $60K–$100K+, depending on specialization, employer, and location.
4. Are online MPH programs effective?
Yes, many CEPH‑accredited schools offer online options with similar outcomes if practicum is strong.
5. What prerequisites are required?
An undergrad degree, quantitative coursework, and sometimes GRE (though often waived). Experience helps.
6. How should I compare cost vs. value?
Weigh tuition + living cost vs. career outcomes. Look for scholarships and assistantships.
7. Do MPH programs offer research opportunities?
Yes—top programs provide faculty‑mentored projects, data access, and publication chances.
8. How important is specialization choice?
It guides early jobs but flexibility matters; choose programs with breadth + electives.
9. What types of employers hire MPH grads?
Government agencies, NGOs, hospitals, research centers, policy orgs, and consulting firms.
10. How to choose between offers?
Compare fieldwork, costs, faculty mentorship, alumni placement, and location fit.
