Key Takeaways:
- Top schools for Masters in Global Health include the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and the University of Washington.
- Students in this major study health relationships with culture, economics, and environmental concerns to address international health issues.
- Programs like Georgetown University’s offer on-campus and abroad studies with interdisciplinary approaches and practical thesis presentations.
In this article we will list the top 10 affordable master’s degrees in global health. A global health major is a great fit for people who are looking to make a difference in the quality of healthcare around the world. Students in this major will study the relationship between health and other factors, including culture, economics and environmental concerns. They will be prepared to analyze and solve health problems in an international context. Students who graduate with this degree are qualified for a wide variety of careers, including working for government agencies, disaster relief organizations and refugee aid organizations. At some schools, students can earn their master’s in global health online.
The MPH global health programs on this list are ranked according to their affordability based on the most recent graduate tuition and fees published by NCES College Navigator.
Featured Programs
Below is our list of the top 10 affordable masters in global health:
1. University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Master of Public Health with Global Health Concentration
At UNC Chapel Hill, students have the opportunity to earn an affordable masters in global health at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, recognized by U.S. News and World Report in 2019 as 2nd best among all public health schools. This 42-credit program, which offers masters in global health online options, is designed to prepare students for positions that require a wide knowledge base in the public health field, while concentrating on global health. Prior to graduating with a masters in global health, students must complete 200 hours of practicum related to their specific area of interest.
Tuition: $10,085
2. University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
Global Health Master of Public Health
The University of Washington offers one of the world’s premier MPH global health programs. The 45-credit master’s program is based on a social justice and practical skills framework, and includes a hands-on practicum and a thesis. Those in the program can take advantage of accessible faculty and partnerships with organizations around the world. The program comprises approximately ⅓ foreign students, and offers funding for under-represented students. Upon graduation, students will exit with the core skills needed for success in the field, including research, analytic methods, proposal development, information science, and health metrics.
Tuition: $10,692
3. University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Master of Public Health with Global Health and Community Health Education Concentration
The University of Colorado offers an exciting program for those looking to earn an affordable masters in global health. The 45-credit-hour MPH global health program focuses on working on health issues within the global context. Students have the unique opportunity to take elective options at partner institutions, and are encouraged to take advantage of the many international opportunities for classes and practicum projects. Curriculum topics include: health and human rights, global health and policy issues, and nutrition in the global community.
Tuition: $15,965
4. Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Master of Public Health in Global Public Health
Rutgers University offers an affordable, 45-credit-hour master’s in global public health degree program. This program is designed to provide students with skill-based training to address and assess both current and emerging global health challenges. The curriculum aims to teach students to develop the ability to evaluate determinants of global public health based on the following 5 core areas: systems and policies, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, and health education and behavioral science.
Tuition: $16,873
5. Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
Master of Public Health with Global Health Option
The 60-credit program at Oregon State University prepares students to promote long-term and equitable health development, particularly in low-income nations. Program participants have the opportunity to choose a competency-based area of focus within the global health field. Their options include global health equity, global health development and strengthening, and global health leadership. The curriculum includes an internship, enabling students to graduate with an understanding of the complex issues currently affecting global health.
Tuition: $19,273
6. George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Master of Science in Global Health
At George Mason University, students can earn their masters in global health through a comprehensive curriculum that covers epidemiology, biostatistics, sociocultural influences, global health systems, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and migrant health. The 42-credit program incorporates George Mason’s global health core with research, as well as electives and a thesis. Graduates will have the skills and knowledge base needed to effectively conduct research and work in the global health environment.
Tuition: $20,157
7. Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Master of Science in Global Health
Duke University offers a 38-credit masters in global health that can be completed in as little as three semesters. The program is designed to appeal to an array of students, including policy makers, analysts, and clinical practitioners desiring a more complete understanding of the causes of, and solutions to, global health problems. Students will spend a minimum of 10 weeks working on a closely monitored, field based global health research project, which will lead to their thesis. 80% of students receive financial aid, and all funding for research is provided by the school.
Tuition: $24,386
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Master of Public Health – Global Health Track
The MPH global health master’s program at the University of Pennsylvania is designed for students interested in both the theory and the practice of global public health. The curriculum, consisting of 14 course units as well as 125 required fieldwork hours, delivers core public health skills within a global context. Students in the program must complete a capstone project of their choice before graduating. This project will address their key global public health interests and learning goals.
Tuition: $24,771
9. Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Master of Public Health with Global Health Specialization
Washington University at St. Louis offers a two-year, 52-credit-hour masters in global health, which includes 360 hours of practicum completed in a low or middle income international setting. Through both the coursework and fieldwork, students learn the basic biology and epidemiology of major infectious and chronic diseases. The curriculum, which prepares graduates to pursue degrees in a wide range of organizations, builds a context specific understanding of the root causes of global health outcomes.
Tuition: $27,108
10. Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.
Master of Science in Global Health
The masters in global health at Georgetown University offers a unique MPH global health program consisting of two semesters on campus, followed by 16 weeks abroad at a research site, after which students will write a thesis and present it on campus. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach to global health, and students will benefit from the faculty, which hails from across the Georgetown campuses. Additionally, the school’s location in the heart of the nation’s capital gives students easy access to both national and global health institutions.
Tuition: $28,442
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