Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Pennsylvania 

Public health is a field that can potentially increase public awareness of vulnerability and disease, which is what all residents deserve. There are many public health programs available at all degree levels in Pennsylvania, but the most common one is some variation/concentration of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. There are 10 public health schools in Pennsylvania that offer MPH programs that are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Depending on the school and concentration, these MPH programs are available on campus, online or in both formats, with a variety of concentrations. Unsurprisingly, public health careers in Pennsylvania are booming, with six related job titles expected to see faster job growth in the state than they are nationally.

At these universities above, students can choose specializations that allow them to work on international issues, such as global health, as well as smaller-scale health-related disciplines, such as health policy and management. Depending on your individual interests, you may find different specializations available that are more fitting for your personality. CEPH accreditation is another important component to consider when choosing a degree program. Accreditation provides assurance of quality, which is vital for careers that require licensure or for students who may want to move forward into doctoral level programs in the future. As mentioned above, there are 10 CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Pennsylvania for students to choose from.

Meanwhile, online MPH programs are growing in popularity all over the country. If you are one of the many students interested in trying this option out for your degree, Pennsylvania has options for you. 

Public Health Careers Outlook in Pennsylvania

Epidemiologists in the state of Pennsylvania are tasked with working hard to better educate the public. It is up to these professionals to develop helpful prevention practices that can protect the public from acquiring and spreading diseases within their areas. If you might be interested in being a part of this dynamic field within public health, degree programs are available in several  public health schools across Pennsylvania. 

Compared to national trends, public health careers in Pennsylvania appear bright. Three public health-related job titles—epidemiologist, health educator, and medical records and health information technician—typically earn more in Pennsylvania than they do nationally. And six job titles—health specialties professor, environmental health specialist, epidemiologist, occupational health specialist, medical records and health information technician, and dietitian and nutritionist—are expected to see more job growth in the state than they are across the country. Unfortunately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide county-by-county wage information for Pennsylvania as it does for other states.

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

Job TitleMedian Salary in PA, 2020  (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2020 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in PA, 2018–2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019–2029
Biostatisticians
$82,670
$92,270
31%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$95,290
$99,090
22%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$67,020
$73,230
9%
8%
Epidemiologists
$82,910
$74,560
8%
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers/Healthcare Administrators
$96,110
$104,280
20%
32%
Health Educators
$59,030
$56,500
10%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$74,590
$76,340
7%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$63,490
$51,840
12%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$60,670
$63,090
13%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$91,300
$93,730
6%
7%

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 July 2021