If the COVID-19 pandemic taught the world anything, it is that public health matters, and experts are in high demand. About 1.9 million job openings in healthcare are expected every year over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Those seeking to take advantage of the field’s growth often pursue a master’s in public health, a globally recognized degree for those seeking to be leaders in education, research, and management of the best health practices. Fortune’s ranking of the best online master’s in public health should be your go-to resource for finding the best program for you and your career. This is how we came up with our ranking.
Methodology for Fortune’s ranking of the best online master’s in public health programs
Fortune contacted more than 100 public health programs nationwide, and 20 with online master’s programs completed our data questionnaire, which asked questions about admissions, enrolled students, and graduate outcomes. Here’s how we ultimately weighed the data:
Data that Fortune collected:
- Previous ranking/participation: 5%
- Annual search volume: 5%
- Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health: 20%
School-provided data:
- Total program cost, out-of-state U.S. residents: 10%
- Acceptance rate, academic year 2023-2024 (admits/applicants): 10%
- Yield, 2023-2024 (Matriculates/Admits): 10%
- Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees: 10%
- Graduation rate, 2021-24: 10%
- One-year retention rate, 2023-24: 20%
Our expert panel
Before the final creation of our ranking, Fortune spoke with three experts at the intersection of public health and education. They all have a master’s in public health degree themselves:
- Deanna J. Wathington, MPH, MD, FAAFP: president-elect, American Public Health Association
- Mighty Fine, MPH: associate executive director of public health practice and policy, American Public Health Association
- Nichole Quick, MPH, MD: Director of the master of public health program, director of public health practice at the University of California–Irvine
The goal of the discussions was to get a better understanding of the public health graduate education ecosystem, including curriculum, program goals, and degree outcomes. None of the experts were directly involved in the ranking of any programs.
Public health: not easy—but full of opportunity
Public health is a “very open pathway,” Wathington says—with students coming from a variety of backgrounds, such as biology, zoology, and even English.
But, those who may find the best success are those who understand the complexities of public health. Fine points to those who are grounded in social justice, are connected to the community, and are cognizant of primordial factors like violence, hypertension, and sexually transmitted diseases.
“Students who are able to see those connections and get it, I would argue that they maybe have a leg up and being more successful and internalizing what those programs are teaching,” Fine says.
With hundreds of public health programs in the country, it can be challenging for prospective students to find the best school and format for them.
As long as the school or program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, Wathington says the education will be great. The accreditation in part ensures programs teach foundational knowledge, including professional public health and human health, as well as a set of foundational competencies, such as evidence-based practice, policy, and leadership.
Almost all institutions that participated in Fortune’s ranking have the designation. Wathington encourages students to pick the program that best fits their needs—whether that be related to class size, research opportunities, or location.
“It is about the school, but it's about the student, what fits the student,” she says.
Above all, both Wathington and Fine note that a master’s in public health is not easy—and the field is often one that is taken for granted by the public. And despite challenges like a pandemic and politicization, public health is still a rewarding area of study.
Public health careers start in the field—practicum gets you hired
Online, in-person, or hybrid, a key component of the degree is the practicum—the real-world experience or practical application that grounds classroom knowledge in hands-on work.
"It’s critical," Quick says. "Whether you're out in the community or doing data-driven research—this real-world experience gets you truly ready for the workforce."
These through-the-school placements often serve as multi-month, on-the-job interviews, frequently leading straight to job offers. Quick, who sits in a role where she's hiring people often, points out that employers usually weigh one of these co-op-like experiences more than a student's GPA. Below are examples of niche practicum scenarios.
- Immerse yourself on the frontlines by engaging directly with community health clinic patients, educating your neighbors, or even performing screenings in underserved areas.
- Get experience with public health advocacy by analyzing health policies, drafting recommendations, and collaborating with nonprofits to push for impactful public health initiatives.
- Get hands-on lab experience testing pathogens and contributing to research at your closest infectious disease center.
"Teamwork and communication shouldn't be underestimated," Quick says. "We want grads to understand team dynamics and even the small stuff—like professional email etiquette and collaborating across organizations."
Faculty expertise is another hot-button topic for prospects. Think about it like this: if you're passionate about air quality, you want to go to a school with a professor who's not only teaching it but also conducting cutting-edge research in that area. Experienced, engaged faculty keep programs dynamic and aligned with modern-day public health advancements.
Public health programs also face the challenge of addressing skepticism toward science and public institutions, partially thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's important for MPH programs to acknowledge this shift, as it might be our students' job to restore that trust," she says.
Lastly, for those eager to step into the field, Quick's advice is straightforward: keep an open mind. "The best experiences are often the ones you don't see coming. "Something you learned five months—or even fifteen years—later might open unexpected doors, giving you fresh perspectives and new opportunities," she tells Fortune.
Frequently asked questions
What is a master’s in public health?
A master’s in public health is a graduate degree that prepares students to understand and educate others about the best health practices. Individuals must learn to be adaptive and communicative leaders as each community and patient is different—and many factors are at play, including cultural practices and public policy.
How long is a master’s in public health?
A master’s in public health typically takes at least two years to complete, though some programs may have accelerated options. Students who engage in courses on a part-time basis can take in some cases up to seven years to obtain their degree.
Is a master’s of public health hard?
Yes, a master’s in public health is not easy. The degree requires students to learn at the intersection of medicine with policy, ethics, and psychology. The average graduation rate of the schools participating in Fortune’s ranking is about 78%.
