Masters in Public Health in USA: Top Universities, Cost & Scope

Masters in Public Health in USA: Top Universities, Cost & Scope

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Jasmine Grover

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Masters in Public Health in USA is a 1 to 2-year degree offered with various specializations including epidemiology, microbial diseases, health policy, etc. 3.3% of international students in the USA are pursuing public health degrees, with over 2.9% from India. Approximately 17,000 students are admitted to top universities for MPH programs in the USA annually. This STEM-designated program, commonly referred to as MPH in USA or MS in Public Health, is offered at 50+ universities across the US

The annual tuition fee for Masters in Public Health in USA is around USD 20,000 to USD 70,000 (INR 16.60 Lakhs to 58.13 Lakhs). Students are required to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall aggregate of 85% along with GRE scores to apply to the best universities for MPH in USA. Graduates of the course can earn a starting salary of around USD 72,000 (INR 59.7 lakhs) per annum in USA. Getting a Masters in Public Health (MPH) in the USA can be a great way to launch a career in healthcare facilities, government agencies, and non-profit organisations.  

Masters in Public Health in USA: Highlights

Courses Available Master of Public Health
Course Type Full-time | Part-time
Program Duration 2 years
Eligibility Criteria Bachelor’s degree with at least 85% aggregate/ 3.0 out of 4 GPA 
English Proficiency Requirements IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0 I TOEFL iBT: 90 to 100 overall 
Entrance Exam GRE: 153 Quantitative and 144 Verbal
Annual Tuition Fees USD 20,000 to 70,000 (INR 16 - 58 Lakhs)
Annual Salary Range 72,000 USD (59 lakhs INR)

Top MPH Universities in USA

The top universities for MPH in USA offer strong faculty, the best research opportunities, and a variety of specialization options. Following are the top-ranking universities offering the best Masters in Public Health in USA for international students, according to QS Rankings 2024: 

QS World University Rank (2024) University Tuition Fee (USD) Tuition Fee (INR)
#4 Harvard University 69,300 57.54 Lakhs
#11 University of Chicago 64,270 53.36 Lakhs
#12 University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) 77,252 64.14 Lakhs
#16 Yale University  51,895 43.09 Lakhs
#23 Columbia University 45,214 37.54 Lakhs
#10 University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) 23,944 19.88 Lakhs
#13 Cornell University 64,032 53.16 Lakhs
#28 Johns Hopkins University 82,440 68.45 Lakhs
#29 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 38,024 31.57 Lakhs
#33 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor 55,728 46.27 Lakhs
#63 University of Washington 36,432 30.24 Lakhs
#=93 Boston University 71,964 59.74 Lakhs
#=132 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 41,937 34.81 Lakhs
#=166 Emory University 60,150 49.93 Lakhs

The Master of Public Health in USA (MPH) is a popular degree for careers in public health practice, education, and health research. The USA is home to some of the world's top MPH programs, equipping you with a prestigious qualification. 


Why Study Masters in Public Health in USA?

Some of the key factors attracting international students to study MPH in USA are:

  • Post-graduates in public health can expect an average annual salary ranging from USD 70,000 to 90,000 (INR 57 to 73 lakhs).
  • The healthcare industry in the US is projected to grow by 13% between 2021 and 2031, creating around 2 million new job opportunities.
  • US medical universities offer top-notch education, attracting students from around the globe.
  • With over 2,000 public health programs to choose from, scholars have a wide range of MS in Public Health degree options.
  • The USA boasts a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, indicating abundant employment opportunities for recent graduates.

US MPH programs offer a wider range of specializations compared to programs in other countries. The US is a hub for public health research, and many MPH programs offer opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects.

Factor USA Canada
Top Universities Multiple in Top Rankings (Harvard, Johns Hopkins) Fewer in Top Rankings (Toronto, McGill)
Funding Opportunities More scholarships, fellowships, assistantships Fewer funding opportunities
Job Market Diverse sectors, 16,000 job openings annually Smaller, focused market
Average Salary Higher salaries INR 75.61 Lakhs | USD 91,070  INR 45.59 Lakhs | CAD 68000

Some of the top MS in Public Health Programs in USA include MPH at Harvard University and Master of Public Health in Health Policy at Yale.


Course Details of MPH Degree in USA

Masters in Public Health in USA is a part of the healthcare management program aimed at imparting advanced knowledge and multidisciplinary training in solving health problems. The Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) regulates the education of this program in the USA. Some of the specializations you will study in USA while pursuing an MPH degree are:

Top Specializations for MS in Public Health in USA
Child and Adolescent Health Public Health Policy Food, Nutrition and Health Health Systems and Policy
Humanitarian Health Food Systems Infectious Diseases Women's and Reproductive Health
Health Leadership and Management Social and Behavioural Determinants of Health Global Environmental Sustainability & Health Biostatistics
Environmental Health Public Health Problem Solving Management Sciences Epidemiology

You'll delve into core public health topics like epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and social determinants of health. The USA government generally issues five five-year tenured visa for International students. On the other hand, the MPH in the USA can be completed within two years. Therefore, you can get a lot of time to boost your career by staying over in the country and exploring job opportunities.  


Masters in Public Health in USA Admission Requirements

Students with a 3-year bachelor's degree preferably in the medical field can apply for Masters in Public Health in USA. GRE test scores are also a compulsory requirement in many universities. 

Eligibility Criteria for MPH in USA

To study Masters in Public Health in USA, you require strong academic achievements along with standardized test scores. Following are the approximate prerequisites for admission to the top MPH universities in USA:

  • 3-year bachelor's degree from a recognized institute
  • 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 83-86% at the undergraduate level (Science-related degree.)
  • Minimum one-year course in calculus, algebra, general or human biology (depends upon specialization and university)
  • GRE test score (varies with the university)
  • Work experience of 2 to 5 years for best MS colleges in the USA. (Not mandatory)

Documents Required 

The commonly required documents for admission to Masters in Public Health in USA are listed below: 

  • Official transcripts of a bachelors degree and all other institutes previously attended
  • English translation of non-English transcripts by an accredited agency
  • Credit by credit evaluation of foreign transcripts by a university-approved authority
  • Two to five LOR.
  • Updated Resume
  • Objectives of doing Masters in Public Health in USA stated in an SOP, essay, or other supporting documents
  • Valid passport and US student visa.

You also must submit IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent test scores to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The average scores needed for Masters in Public Health in USA are:

  • IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 to 100

The US public health job market is booming, with a projected 7% increase in demand for physicians and surgeons by 2028. This can lead to more opportunities and potentially higher salaries compared to other countries.


Cost of Studying Masters in Public Health in USA

Pursuing a Masters in public health in USA can be a costly affair. The overall expense will include application fees, student visa fees, tuition fees, and cost of living in the USA. Some of the major expenses are –  

Tuition Fee of Masters in Public Health in USA

Annual tuition fees for MPH in USA for international students range between USD 20,000 to USD 70,000. Mentioned below are the annual tuition fees of MPH in USA in the top universities:

University Annual Tuition Fee (USD) Annual Tuition Fee (INR)
Harvard University 69,300 57,54,162
Cornell University     64,032   53.16,653
University of Chicago 64,270 53,36,508
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) 77,252 64,14,438
Yale University  51,895 43,09,075

MPH in USA

Fully Funded MPH Programs in USA for International Students

For international students looking to pursue an MPH program in the USA without worrying about tuition fees, there are some fully funded options also available. These programs cover the full tuition fee of the MPH program or offer teaching assistantships to offset the costs. Some of the universities offering fully funded Masters in Public Health in USA for international students are:

  • University of Colorado
  • Drexel University
  • Boston University
  • Yale University

You can explore these fully funded opportunities for a chance to pursue your MPH degree without financial constraints, opening doors to a rewarding career in public health.

Cost of living in USA

An international student's estimated expenditure and cost of living in USA is around USD 2,448 (2 lakhs INR). The expenses vary based on room rent, food habits. The following table presents the average monthly expenses that you are likely to incur while studying in the USA.

Expense Type Cost Per Month (USD) Monthly Cost Equivalent (INR)
On-campus Accommodation 2,450 to 2,775 1.99 to 2.26 Lakhs
Books and stationery 500 to 1,000 40,600 to 81,300
Food  2,500 2 Lakhs
Clothes 500 40,600
Public Transport 500 to 1,200 40,600 to 97,600
Miscellaneous 2,000 1.63 Lakhs

Masters in Public Health in USA with Scholarships

Following are some of the scholarships in USA for international students pursuing a Masters in Public Health program: 

Scholarship Awarding Institute Eligibility Criteria Amount (in USD)
Harvard Chan Grant Harvard University Enrolled in MPH | Academic merit | Work experience Financial need Variable
Interschool Fellowships Columbia University Need-based 1,000-5,000
Sloan Scholarships Cornell University Academic merit Variable
Sommer Scholars Program Johns Hopkins  Enrolled in MPH Program Full tuition and a stipend
Gates Millennium Scholars Program US Government Academic achievement | Financial need | Community service Variable
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships US Government Citizen of a country with Rotary clubs | 2 years of college course work or equivalent Up to 25,000 USD
Fulbright Scholarships for Indians US Government Indian citizen | Academic excellence | English proficiency Monthly stipend, Tuition and cost of attendance coverage
Inlaks Scholarship US Government Indian citizen | Minimum 65-75% marks 100,000 USD
AAUW International Fellowship US Government Non US based women pursuing master’s and doctoral programs in USA 20,000-50,000 USD
JN Tata Endowment Fund (loan) US Government Indian citizens | Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 60% marks 1,00,000-10,00,000 INR

Master in Public Health Salary in USA

Most of the graduates of Masters in Public Health in USA get successful placement in psychiatry, internal medicine and paediatrics departments. Based on the research report, approximately 31.4% of doctors get success in their early career, more especially once they complete their masters. 

Jobs Average Salaries (USD) Salary Equivalent (INR)
Epidemiologist 63,000 51 lakhs
Program Manager, NPO 65,000 53 lakhs
Healthcare Consultant 83,000 68 lakhs
Clinical Research Coordinator 53,000 43 lakhs
Health Educator 48,000 39 lakhs
Public Health Analyst 65,000 53 lakhs
Industrial Hygienist 90,000 73 lakhs
Public Health Educator 50,000 41 lakhs
Health Policy Analyst 62,000 50 lakhs
Clinical Project Manager 88,000 72 lakhs

Masters in Public Health in USA Jobs and Salaries

Some of the highly paid recruiters of graduates of MS in Public Health in USA apart from health care institutions are Kaiser Permanente, Methodist Healthcare, Fairview Hospital, and Johnson & Johnson. Their average pay-scale structure ranges between INR 1.91 crores to 2.26 crores respectively. An MPH in the USA empowers you to become a leader in public health. You'll graduate with the skills to tackle critical health challenges, both domestically and internationally. 

FAQs

Ques: How long is a Masters in Public Health in USA?

Ans: Masters in Public Health in USA is a one to two-year degree offered with various specializations including epidemiology, microbial diseases, health policy, etc.

Ques: Is public health a good career in USA?

Ans: Yes, public health is considered a highly rewarding and lucrative career option in the USA.

  • Once the students complete their post-graduation in public health, they can earn an average annual salary of 70,000 USD (57 lakhs INR), which can go as high as 90,000 USD (73 lakhs INR)
  • According to the Labour Statistics of the US, the healthcare industry is estimated to experience a 13% increase in employment opportunities between 2021 and 2031.
  • This is is significantly higher than the average growth rate of other professions.
  • This growth is anticipated to generate approximately 2 million fresh job openings in the next ten years.

Ques. Which universities offer MPH programs in USA?

Ans. The top-ranking universities offering the best MPH in USA, according to QS Rankings 2024 are:

  • Harvard University
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
  • Cornell University
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Johns Hopkins University 

Ques. How much is Masters in Public Health in USA?

Ans. Annual tuition fees for Masters in Public Health in USA are around USD 20,000 to 70,000. Indian students can expect annual expenses of around 16 lakhs to 59 lakhs INR to study the program.

Ques. Can I apply for Masters in Public Health in USA without GRE test scores?

Ans. Most of the top universities for MPH in the USA require the submission of GRE test scores for admission. However, some universities like Baylor University and Tufts University also accept students without GRE test scores. 

Ques. Are there STEM-designated MPH programs in the USA for international students?

Ans. Yes, there are several STEM-designated MPH programs available in the USA for international students. Some of the universities offering these programs include –

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Drexel University
  • New York University
  • Long Island University
  • University of New Haven
  • University of Cincinnati

 The MPH program at the University of New Haven was the first to receive STEM designation in the country.

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