2020 Most Affordable Online Public Health Degrees
These 21 colleges offer the most affordable online bachelor's in public health degrees. University of the Cumberlands is the #1 school on the list, offering a tuition rate of $5,970 annually for its BAS and BS in Public Health. Classes for these programs include Community and Environmental Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, Public Health Administration, Social Policy Analysis, and Substance Abuse. Mississippi University for Women comes in second place, with an affordable tuition rate of $7,424 per year.
You can read more about our ranked schools below or browse our rankings of the most affordable online master's in public health. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| University of the Cumberlands | $5,970 | |
| Mississippi University for Women | $7,424 | |
| American Public University System | $8,100 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | $9,455 | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | $9,600 | |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | $10,397 | |
| Boise State University | $10,500 | |
| University of South Dakota | $10,537 | |
| Delaware State University | $10,590 | |
| Rivier University | $10,800 | |
| University of Missouri | $11,622 | |
| Old Dominion University | $12,210 | |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | $12,393 | |
| Roger Williams University | $13,440 | |
| Central Michigan University | $13,454 | |
| University of South Florida Online | $13,547 | |
| Bellevue University | $13,600 | |
| Murray State University | $13,710 | |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus | $14,550 | |
| Monroe College | $14,760 | |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | $14,850 |
University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg (KY)
Example Classes: Community and Environmental Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, Public Health Administration, Social Policy Analysis, Substance Abuse Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Mississippi University for Women Columbus (MS)
Example Classes: Biostatistics for Public Health, Chronic Disease & Public Health, Environmental Public Health, Global Health, Infectious Diseases in Public Health, Public Health Interventions Online Bachelor's Degrees
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American Public University System Charles Town (WV)
Example Classes: Foundations of Nutrition, Health Economics and Finance, Healthcare: Moral Issues, Leadership & Motivation, Public Health in America, Wellness: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior (WI)
Example Classes: Drugs, Health and Human Behavior, Human Sexuality, Human Structure and Function, Introduction to Mental Health and Stress Management, Introduction to Physical Assessment and Exercise Evaluation, Pathophysiology of Disease/Prevention and Control Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH)
Example Classes: Biological Concepts for Public Health, Ethical and Legal Considerations of Healthcare, Evaluation Methods in Public Health, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Programming Planning in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Health Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro (NC)
Example Classes: Community Health, Environmental Health, Immigrant and Refugee Health, Income, Social Status, and Health, Public Health Data Analysis, The School Health Program Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Boise State University Boise (ID)
Example Classes: Collaborating for Change, Determinants of Health, Epidemiology, Health Education and Promotion Programming, Public Health Communications, Quality Improvement and Performance Management Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of South Dakota Vermillion (SD)
Example Classes: Alcohol & Drug Use in Diverse Populations, Global Health, Health Literacy and Culture Care, Major Issues in Health and Human Services, Native Americans & Substance Use & Abuse, Patient Safety - Quality Improvement Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Delaware State University Dover (DE)
Example Classes: Environmental Health, Health Disparities, Infectious Diseases and Injury Prevention, Lifetime Fitness and Wellness, School and Community Health Education, Substance Use and Abuse Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Rivier University Nashua (NH)
Example Classes: Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases, Food Safety and Hygiene, Global Health and Health Disparities, Health Policy and Politics, Health Promotion, Marketing and Social Communications, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of Missouri Columbia (MO)
Example Classes: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Public Health Approaches, Ethics in Public Health, Global Public Health and Health Care Systems, Health Care in the United States, Social and Behavioral Health Theory and Practice Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Old Dominion University Norfolk (VA)
Example Classes: Critical Issues, Finance & Budgeting in Healthcare, Health Ethics and the Law, Healthcare Marketing, Public & Community Health Administration, The U.S. Health Delivery System Online Bachelor's Degrees
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The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington (TX)
Example Classes: Addictive Behaviors, Ethical Practices in Health Professions, Health and Human Disease, Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations, Physical Activity in Public Health, Public Health in Academic Settings Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Roger Williams University Bristol (RI)
Example Classes: EMT Basic, Grant Writing, Health Information Systems and Technology, Public Health Culture and Diversity, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Social and Health Services Research Methods Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant (MI)
Example Classes: Community Health, Environmental Health, Health and Aging, Healthy Lifestyles, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Responding to Emergencies Online Bachelor's Degrees
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University of South Florida Online Tampa (FL)
Example Classes: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Food and Culture, Foundations of Food Safety, Foundations of Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition and Disease, Understanding U.S. Health Care Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Bellevue University Bellevue (NE)
Example Classes: American Red Cross: Responding to Emergencies, Exercise Physiology, Gender and Culture, Nutrition Through the Life Span, Public and Consumer Health Literacy, Wellness for Life Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Murray State University Murray (KY)
Example Classes: Biostatistics in Public Health, Chronic and Communicable Diseases, Human Resource Management in Health Care, Personal Health, Research Concepts in Food and Nutrition, Transitions Online Bachelor's Degrees
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The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler (AZ)
Example Classes: Communication Skills for Health & Human Service Personnel, Contemporary Issues, Trends, Health Law Ethics in Health & Human Services, Cultural Awareness in the Human Services, Health & Human Services Culture: The Helping Relationship, Research Methods in Health & Human Services Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Monroe College Bronx (NY)
Example Classes: Introduction to Counseling Theory, Pharmacy Fundamentals, Professional Communication, Psychology of Abnormal Behavior, Public Health and Epidemiology Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence (RI)
Example Classes: Abnormal Psychology, Comparative Healthcare Systems, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Ethics and the Law, Sociology of Aging, Workshop in Acquiring Social Research Skills Online Bachelor's Degrees
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Common Courses: Common Bachelor’s in Public Health Courses
A bachelor's program in public health blends courses in science, public policy, government support, and management. Some of the diverse courses often included in an online public health program include the following:
- Anatomy and Physiology: Public health professionals need to understand basic medical terminology, concepts, and processes. In this course, students learn the essential components and systems of the human body and how they function. They also explore the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of common diseases.
- Epidemiology: Public health professionals need to understand the factors that lead to the appearance and spread of diseases. Students learn how to use tools for evaluating and monitoring a population's health as well as strategies for controlling the factors that can lead to the distribution of disease.
- Chronic Diseases: This course trains students to assess, manage, and implement programs addressing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease. Students learn how chronic diseases affect millions of people in the U.S. and pose a potential strain on our healthcare system and economy.
- Public Health Administration: This introductory course provides a broad overview of the primary theories, concepts, values, and administrative practices in use today in the U.S. public healthcare system. Students discover some of the factors affecting public health, including the public health system, essential services, and contributing areas of specialized knowledge, such as biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, and healthcare policy.
- Social and Behavioral Health: Social and individual behavior can have a significant impact on public health. This course examines how factors — such as culture, economic status, ethnicity, family, and gender — can influence a population’s perceptions and willingness to embrace change.
Financial Aid: Funding an Online Bachelor’s in Public Health
You may want to apply for financial aid if you're pursuing a bachelor's in public health. If you need help paying for your online degree, consider federal, local, and private scholarship opportunities, as these don't need to be repaid. A suitable public health work-study program will enable you to offset the cost of your education while gaining industry experience. You can also apply for student loans. Notably, federal and state loans have the cheapest repayment plans. Online students should verify whether they need to fulfill additional requirements to be eligible for aid.
Fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what kinds of aid you're eligible to receive. Our FAFSA guide walks you through this complex form, including how to complete it accurately.
Where to Look for Additional Financial Assistance
You should consult your university or prospective college's financial aid department for information on financial assistance programs. To help pay for your public health degree, you may also consider applying to the scholarships below:
This annually awarded $20,000 scholarship is open to undergraduate students hoping to pursue a career in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Students must be U.S. citizens that are either enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a U.S.-based undergraduate program, and they must demonstrate exceptional financial need.
Starting at $500, this scholarship is for residents of Massachusetts pursuing a four-year degree (graduate students may also apply). Applicants must be residents of Massachusetts and enrolled in a degree-seeking program.
The Arkansas Public Health Association annually offers one student $1,000 to help secure a public health degree. Awardees must be enrolled in an institution based in Arkansas, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be an APHA student member.
Is an Online Bachelor’s in Public Health Worth It?
A public health degree’s worth depends on your personal and financial circumstances. If you are willing and able to set aside the time and money for this pursuit, this degree can lead to gainful career opportunities in the growing healthcare industry.
The salary and job outlook for those with a bachelor’s in public health is generally favorable. Not only do online programs offer students experience, but graduating with a public health degree may also lead to earnings above the U.S. economy’s average of $41,950 per year. Below are some typical roles and corresponding salaries for public health graduates:
- Health education specialists’ average annual salary is $48,140.
- Although it may require additional work experience, medical and health services managers make approximately $104,280 per year.
Aside from potential earnings, consider the following advantages and possible drawbacks of pursuing an online bachelor's degree in public health:
Advantages:
- An online degree in public health can be a relatively cheap way to develop unique skills, like cultural competence and biostatistics, which are applicable across multiple sectors.
- Those with a public health degree may benefit from expanding career opportunities and job security in the future. Based on the healthcare industry’s size in 2020, it is projected to grow 16% by 2030, which amounts to 2.6 million new jobs.
Drawbacks:
- A bachelor's degree is often insufficient if you want to pursue advanced roles in the healthcare industry. To grow in this field, you will likely need a master's in public health.
- Online students that don't participate in ample fieldwork may not gain the same level of exposure and hands-on experience as those completing an in-person public health undergraduate program.