2023 Most Affordable Online Public Health Degrees

Brigham Young University - Idaho (BYU) is a private, religious institution with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Health - Community Health Methods and Evaluation, which requires 120 credit hours. Typically, students complete this program in four years if they study full time. BYU has an acceptance rate of 97%, along with a 67% graduation rate.

Students at BYU utilize Canvas as their learning management system (LMS). This allows students to complete their coursework completely online. The curriculum for the applied health degree teaches students about public health program planning and implementation, while the community health methods and evaluation concentration helps them learn how to identify the needs of a community through theories and models. Core classes include Social Innovation, Community Health Methods, and Program Evaluation. An applied health internship is also required. Alumni often pursue careers as health coordinators, evaluators, and educators.

University of the Cumberlands (UC) is a private, Christian university offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. This program requires 120 program hours, which most students aim to complete in four years on a full-time schedule. The acceptance rate at UC is 81%, with 60% of students graduating with a degree.

UC students utilize a combination of Blackboard and iLearn for their remote coursework, which they can complete 100% online. The goal of this degree is to teach students how to analyze, evaluate, manage, and communicate important issues related to public health. Along with a capstone project, required classes include Substance Abuse, Epidemiology, and Nutrition.

Additionally, UC offers a Bachelor of Applied Science - Public Health which focuses on management, leadership, and technological skills in public health. Graduates of either program may go on to explore careers as family support workers, caseworkers, and community health workers.

Georgia Southern University is a public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health that requires 124 credits. Full-time students may complete this program in four years. Overall, Georgia Southern has a 91% acceptance rate, along with a 51% graduation rate.

At Georgia Southern, students use a branded version of Brightspace, called Folio, as their LMS. This allows students to study completely online and on a flexible schedule. The curriculum for the public health program emphasizes global health, which looks at the health disparities and risk factors of different communities from a global and local perspective. The major requirements for this degree include an internship as well as the following classes: Health Systems and Advocacy, Modifying Health Behaviors, and Principles of Environmental Health. Graduates may explore careers as health education specialists, public health advisors, and employee wellness managers.

Columbia Southern University (CSU) is a private university with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. The program requires 120 credits, which can take full-time students four years to finish. The acceptance rate at CSU is 100%, with 48% percent of students graduating.

Students at CSU use the Blackboard LMS, which allows them to complete online classes on a flexible schedule. The curriculum for this degree explores both the theories and technologies that are used to keep industries safe and healthy. Construction Safety, Industrial Ergonomics, and Toxicology are all required courses. This program offers a pathway to the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation. Career opportunities for alumni include occupational health and safety specialists.

Utah Tech University (UT) offers a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies - Public Health requiring 120 credit hours. Students may be able to complete this degree in four years while studying full time. Although all applicants who apply are accepted, only 40% graduate with their diplomas.

At UT Online, students use Canvas as their remote LMS, allowing students to study 100% online. The bachelor's in integrated health requires students to select two different emphases and includes public health as an option. There are also options for long-term care administration, healthcare administration, and family studies and human development, among others. The curriculum integrates two chosen areas. For public health, core classes include Health Promotion, Health Policy, and Community Health Communication. An integrated senior thesis project is also required. Graduates are eligible to pursue professional roles in public and community health management.

Mercy College of Health Sciences (MCHS) is a private college offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. This online degree requires 120 credits, with 45 related to the major. Students may complete the degree in four years while studying full time. MCHS has a 92% acceptance rate, and 67% of students graduate.

Students at MCHS use their own online platform to study and complete their degrees online. The curriculum for their public health degree explores everything from natural disasters to infectious diseases, including prevention and community impact. Core classes for this program include Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics. A 45-hour practicum is also required. Graduates may seek employment as grant writers, environmental health advocates, or health program planners.

Mississippi University for Women (The W) is a public university with a Bachelor of Science or Applied Science in Public Health Education. These programs each require 124 credit hours to graduate, with most students finishing their degree in four years on a full-time study schedule. The W has an acceptance rate of 99%, and 62% of students graduate.

Canvas is the primary LMS at The W, allowing students to study completely online. Each curriculum is focused on disease prevention and the promotion of health, with the applied science degree more clearly designed for students who have already completed an associate of applied science in an allied health field such as nursing or radiology technology. Core classes include Biostatistics, Global Health, and Infectious Diseases in Public Health. Career opportunities include roles as health educators and community health workers.

Youngstown State University (YSU) is a public university offering a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Public Health that requires 127 credit hours. This degree has two available tracks: (1) Environmental Health and Safety and (2) Health Education/Health Promotion. Students may also choose a Public Health Minor. Students can potentially finish this program in four years if they study full time. YSU's acceptance rate is 70%, and its graduate rate currently rests at 38%.

Students at YSU use Blackboard as their digital learning platform, which is fully online and delivered asynchronously. The curriculum teaches students how to assess individual and community health needs, promote relevant health initiatives, and manage health education programs. Core coursework includes Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health. An internship and senior seminar are also required before graduation. Once the degree is finished, career opportunities may be available as health inspectors and health educators.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is a public university offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education. This degree requires 120 credit hours, and full-time students may finish in four years. Students must have at least an associate degree before applying. Overall, UNGC has an acceptance rate of 88%, with 57% of students graduating.

At UNGC Online, students use the Canvas LMS, which allows students to finish their public health degree entirely online. The bachelor's program teaches students to investigate and identify important health issues before implementing large-scale solutions for vulnerable communities. Major courses include Public Health Diseases; Epidemiology; and Income, Social Status, and Health. Graduates may enter careers in health research, disease prevention, and health advocacy.

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with two concentration options: (1) Community Health and (2) Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness. Each degree requires 120 credit hours, which students may finish in four years on a full-time track. The acceptance rate at EIU is 56%, while 61% of students graduate.

The primary learning software at EIU is Brightspace. Through this LMS, students can study completely online and asynchronously. The curricula for each track differ slightly, with community health being focused on the skills needed to improve the health and well-being of individuals in a community. The emergency management and disaster preparedness track explores the professional responsibilities of firefighters, paramedics, and FEMA workers. Core classes for both tracks include Human Diseases, Planning Health Programs, and Community Health Behavior Methods. An internship is also required for each track. Job opportunities may vary depending on the concentration, but students can explore roles in a variety of private and government health and safety agencies.