Is an MPH Worth It?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) could open up a range of health-related career opportunities. Learn more about whether an MPH could fit your career goals.

[Featured image] A Master of Public Health (MPH) student walks through a college campus with their cellphone and a stack of notebooks.

Key takeaways

A Master of Public Health degree may be worth it if your career goal is to work in the public health sector and help care for your community.

  • The average cost of a master’s degree in public health and other related social science fields is $79,530 [1].

  • Many programs allow you to choose a concentration that relates to the field where you want to work so that you can equip yourself with the knowledge and skills you need.

  • You can enter the workforce after earning your MPH or continue to earn a PhD if you are interested in a research-based career.

Discover whether an MPH degree might be worth it for you by exploring degree details, cost expectations, and potential career trajectories in this field.

What is an MPH degree?

The Master of Public Health is a graduate-level degree program that prepares students for careers in the public health sector. It’s designed for those who want to work with a specific population within a community.

You can earn an MPH degree online or in person and complete it within two years if you attend full-time. Some programs can take two-and-a-half years of full-time study. You may qualify for an accelerated program that can be completed in 14 to 16 months. Should you choose a part-time program, you can usually complete it within four to five years.

Admission requirements vary from school to school; however, most will require candidates to hold a bachelor’s degree, and some will require work experience. Before applying, you may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some applicants can receive a waiver if they meet the school’s qualifications. 

As a student, you may have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration. Not all schools offer the same disciplines, so if you’re considering applying to an MPH program, research the options for availability. Some of the more common tracks are environmental health, health care administration, and social and behavioral science.

How much does it cost to earn an MPH degree?

The cost of your MPH degree program will depend on several factors. The number of credit hours required to complete the program affects the cost of tuition, as does residency. The average cost of a master’s degree in public health and other related social science fields is $79,530 [1].

You may be able to find scholarships and assistantships to help cover the cost of attending a master’s program. Learn more about availability by contacting the admission office or financial aid office of the schools you’re interested in attending.

Is an MPH a terminal degree?

An MPH is a terminal degree if you want to go into the public health field, not in a research-based position. An MPH prepares you to directly enter the workforce upon graduation. 

An MPH is a professional degree as opposed to a research-based Master of Science degree, which prepares you to study at the PhD level. 

Is an MPH worth it? + MPH jobs

An MPH can lead to job opportunities and advancement potential, which means this degree may be worth it depending on your career aspirations and salary goals. An MPH program can be expensive, but the salary potential that comes with your degree can, eventually, help pay for your education. Additionally, working with the public and helping disadvantaged populations can be a rewarding experience, and knowing you can make a difference may make the cost of the MPH degree worth the investment. Some of the careers you can pursue with an MPH degree and their average salaries include:

Health education specialist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $63,000 [2]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [2]

If you enjoy working with diverse populations in community settings, a position as a health education specialist can be a rewarding career. You’ll work to improve the health and well-being of at-risk individuals and community populations by educating them about wellness.

Community health worker

Median annual US salary (BLS): $51,030 [3] 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 11 percent [3]

As a community health worker, you’ll identify the needs of at-risk populations and advocate on their behalf. Community health workers often collaborate with health education specialists for community outreach. 

Public health nurse 

Median annual US salary (BLS): $93,600 [4]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 5 percent [4]

As a public health nurse, you will work in disadvantaged communities to identify health issues and work to resolve them. A public health nurse is a registered nurse who works outside a typical patient-to-patient setting and instead works in the community, at schools, senior centers, or public health clinics.

Environmental health scientist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $80,060 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 4 percent [5]

An environmental health scientist works to address potential environmental health risks. The position can also entail educating the public about community health risks. Many job opportunities are in government. 

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor

Median annual US salary (BLS): $59,190 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [6]

In this role, you'll serve populations with substance abuse and behavioral disorders. You may work with individuals or in a group setting to help those suffering from substance abuse or behavior disorders recover. 

Epidemiologist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $83,980 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 16 percent [7]

With an MPH degree, you could qualify for a career as an epidemiologist. Epidemiology is the investigation of disease and injury, and as an epidemiologist, you’ll work to treat and prevent health issues. 

Public health director

Median annual US salary (BLS): $117,960 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 23 percent [8]

The role of a public health director is to manage a public health department, oversee employees, and work to keep the public safe. This leadership position is responsible for collaborating with other public health professionals and government employees.

Read more: 10 High-Paying Public Health Jobs: Salaries, Requirements, and More 

What degrees pair well with an MPH?

Depending on your career goals, you can pair an MPH with a Juris Doctor (JD, law), Master of Business Administration (MBA, business), Doctor of Medicine (MD, medicine), and more. Dual degrees can help you build expertise in a specific area within public health. For example, an MPH/JD degree opens opportunities in private practice law, government, and health care advocacy, while an MPH/MBA degree may lead to business and management jobs within public health.

Benefits beyond MPH salary expectations 

By pursuing an MPH degree, you can expand not only your career options but also your knowledge and skills to better prepare for leadership roles. Government jobs, which sometimes offer benefits like pension plans, may require an MPH. 

Careers in public health typically offer job security, and even in economic downtimes, careers in health tend to remain in demand. If you enjoy working with the public and positively impacting communities and neighborhoods, it's worth considering how an MPH could fit your goals.

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Article sources

1. 

Education Data Initiative. “Average Cost of a Master’s Degree, https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-a-masters-degree.” Accessed October 29, 2025. 

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