MPH Degree

Many people justify going back to school with the fact that the education will pay for itself in just a few years. Is this true with a master of public health (MPH) degree? It depends on your current salary and future career goals, but for most people, yes, it does make sense to go back to school to get a master’s degree in this field.

The average salary you can expect with a master’s degree depends in part on the job position you take after you graduate. Public health is a broad field that covers a number of different areas, including education, disease prevention, vaccination development, food safety, clinical research, and more. Here are some of the jobs you may qualify for if you have a master’s degree in public health, along with the average salary you can expect with each of them:

• Clinical Research Coordinator: $47,997
• Epidemiologist: $48,198
• Health Educator: $43,207
• Healthcare Consultant: $67,101
• Non-Profit Organization Coordinator: $42,250
• Non-Profit Organization Executive Director: $66,616
• Research Assistant: $44,480

Along with your salary, you’ll also likely receive bonuses, and in some fields, you may have options for stock, profit sharing, and commission. In addition, these are typically full-time positions, so you’ll likely be qualified for paid vacation time and sick days, medical and dental insurance, travel reimbursement, and other benefits. The higher your degree, the more likely you are to qualify for top positions that have the best perks. With just a bachelor’s degree, even if you have decades of experience working in public health, you may only be offered bare minimum benefits packages.

A number of factors other than job title also affect average salary, and one of the most major factors is location. Typically, if you’re willing to work in a city, you’ll be paid a much higher salary than if you work in a rural area. Keep in mind that cost of living in cities is higher too, however, so you may be able to profit more from living in a less expensive location. In terms of where to find the highest-paying jobs in this industry, that once again depends on your job title. For one of the most popular positions, as a healthcare manager, the top cities are as follows, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Salinas, California: $131,500
• Lawrence/Methuen/Salem, Massachusetts/New Hampshire: $126,860
• Panama City/Lynn Haven, Florida: $125,580
• Burlington/South Burlington, Vermont: $123,290
• Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, Washington: $118,680

With a master’s degree, you can be assured to be on the high end of that spectrum, and as you can see, there are cities across the country paying top dollar for workers in the public health industry. So, although going back to school to get your degree may seem expensive, with the help of scholarships (or fellowships), employer tuition reimbursement programs, and grants, you can get an education for a low price and make a lot more money in your job once you graduate.

Top Online MPH Degree Programs

A Master of Public Health online degree will open new doors to your career in healthcare and health education. The six specializations of the public health study – administration, behavioral sciences, biostatistics, environmental sciences, epidemiology, and health promotion – are all available at the following list of the top colleges offering online MPH degree programs.

	Capella University's Master of Public Health program prepares graduates for careers in public health management, social welfare, or research. The curriculum includes the behavioral, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the health of populations. Courses include International Public Health, Environmental Health Concepts in Public Health, and Principles of Biostatistics. Capella also offers MPH specializations in health management & policy and social & behavioral sciences. Learn more about Capella...
	Graduates of the Walden University Master of Public Health degree program or MPA in health policy program fill the increasing need for health professionals that must understand the development of healthy individuals, organizations, and communities. The programs provide core study in the public health field, uses a real-world teaching methodology, has industry leading professors, and includes a practical fieldwork practicum. Learn more about Walden...
	The MPH degree program at Grand Canyon University specializes in disease prevention and community health. Its curriculum uses a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing psychological, behavioral, and social factors influencing population-based health disparities. The program also includes a practicum and capstone project where students can design the program to best fit their area of specific interest. Learn more about GCU...
	The Kaplan University Master of Public Health degree program readies students for healthcare jobs in governmental, nonprofit, or private organizations. The online program provides students on-demand education on how to analyze and apply scientific research, prepare public health policies, develop health education programs, and review the impact of occupational and environmental factors. Within Kaplan's MPH program, specializations are offered in epidemiology, health education, and public health program development. Learn more about Kaplan...
	The Master of Health Administration program at the University of Phoenix prepares students to analyze current health care environments and have the tools necessary to improve their management. The MHA program in health care education features specializations including gerontology, informatics, and public health education. The University of Phoenix is one of the world's most recognized names in education. Learn more about University of Phoenix...