Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Kentucky

Students interested in being a part of public health solutions may consider a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. If public health is a field you are thinking of pursuing, Kentucky might be a great place, with four public health schools accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University. Kentucky is also home to five public health careers that are expected to experience job growth greater than the national average. Read on to learn more about these MPH programs and job opportunities.

As seen in the table above, most of the CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Kentucky are offered on campus, with over 10 concentrations, including environmental and occupational health and sustainability, biostatistics, generalist, or other focuses. 

At Western Kentucky University, students have the option of pursuing an MPH – Generalist degree completely online. The generalist concentration may be suitable for students who seek widespread knowledge of public health. Online MPH degrees provide opportunities to advance students’ knowledge without quitting their jobs. If you want to raise your status in your current career or complement your undergraduate education with a higher degree, online MPH programs may be a great option.

Public Health Careers Outlook in Kentucky

Kentucky’s public health careers vary by position and location. Medical and health services managers or health care administrators, for example, have the highest median salaries, at $84,390 a year. Biostatisticians, on the other hand, are projected to see the greatest job growth, at 33 percent through 2028.  As for location, Fayette and Boone counties have experienced higher than average wage increases in the state between 2019 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The table below reflects the demand and earning potential for public health careers in Kentucky, based on data provided by O*NET OnLine.

Job TitleMedian Salary in KY, 2020 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2020 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in KY, 2018-2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019-2029
Biostatisticians
$76,770
$92,270
33%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$63,030
$99,090
25%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$48,920
$73,230
7%
8%
Epidemiologists
$56,900
$74,560
n/a*
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$84,390
$104,280
16%
32%
Health Educators
$53,240
$56,500
10%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$66,990
$76,340
7%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$43,390
$51,840
11%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$58,940
$63,090
10%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$72,640
$93,730
12%
8%

*Estimate not released/provided by ONET

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Information last updated June 2021