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Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Washington, D.C.

If you have an interest in shaping policy and health initiatives for a broader community on a large scale, a public health degree could be the right fit for you. Public health schools in Washington, D.C., are centrally located, so students have access to resources that students who live elsewhere do not. For example, many public health organizations are based in D.C., and the National Institute of Health is just a short car ride away.

As of 2025, the Public Health Accreditation Board estimates that over 80,000 additional full time employees are needed in state and local health departments to deliver Foundational Public Health Services. With the current growing demand for public health professionals, now is the time to earn a Master of Public Health.

Master of Public Health Degrees in D.C.

George Washington University

Master of Public Health

Founded in 1997, the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University is dedicated to empowering underserved populations and advancing the health of communities around the globe. Our live, online classes feature a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, enabling you to form close connections with your peers and GW faculty in an engaging learning environment. Earn your MPH in as few as 12 months and make a meaningful difference in public health — without having to relocate — with MPH@GW. No GRE required.

Complete in as few as 12 months
No GRE required
Accredited by CEPH

In 2000, there were 50,000 fewer public health professionals than in 1980. When you combine the high demand for this degree with the potential to positively shape communities on a broad scale, it’s easy to see why people choose to pursue a Master of Public Health degree.

Public Health Education in D.C.

Students from all over the globe choose public health programs in D.C. because of the accessibility to real-world experiences, public health settings and organizations, and the range of employers seeking public health professionals.

Online MPH Programs in D.C.

Full-time professionals from all types of backgrounds often choose to go back to school to pursue a Master of Public Health degree. Online MPH programs are becoming increasingly popular, as they allow students to work and complete an MPH degree at the same time. Both of these universities in D.C. offer an online or hybrid MPH program, which provides greater scheduling flexibility at an oftentimes reduced cost.

Institution & Program	Study Length	Test requirement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMaster of Public Health (MPH) Ad	As few as 20 months	No GRE required
George Washington UniversityMaster of Public Health Ad	As few as 12 months	No GRE required

Is Public Health a Good Career Outlook in D.C.?

Two important questions to consider before pursuing any graduate degree: “What are my career prospects?” and “What’s the earning potential?” Below is a closer look at both.

Salary Overview for MPH Graduates in D.C.

The salary range for professionals with a Master’s of Public Health varies depending on which career you choose. The State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Washington, D.C., from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS, May 2024) offers more information: In 2024, an epidemiologist made an annual mean wage of $126,950, while a health education specialist earned an average annual salary of $113,030.

Work Settings in D.C. with a Public Health Degree

Washington, D.C., is in close proximity to organizations such as the American Public Health Association and government agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center for Environmental Research and Office of Water. In D.C., there are unique opportunities to kickstart a career with a public health degree.

Driven by increasing health care costs and a critical need to raise awareness of preventable diseases, job growth for many public health careers is projected to steadily rise from 2024 to 2034 (BLS, May 2024):

Medical and health services managers: 23% projected growth
Health educators: 4% projected growth
Community health workers: 4% projected growth

Washington, D.C., is the top-paying metropolitan area for health education specialists, with a mean annual salary of $117,280 in 2024.

High Job Demands of Specializations in D.C.

There are many health care companies in the D.C. area. Many of these companies are top employers for MPH professionals in D.C., along with federal agencies, health care policy think tanks and nonprofit organizations. Jobs at these workplaces often require specialization within the public health field.

Because of the expansive nature of the public health industry, it is common for students to declare a public health specialization. This helps them narrow down the skills they hone for their selected concentrations.

While there is high demand in general for public health professionals, certain public health specializations are particularly in demand:

Biostatistics
Data analysis/analytics
Epidemiology
Health informatics
Policy/leadership

As expressed, public health professionals in Washington, D.C., are provided with a variety of work settings and competitive salaries when compared to the rest of the United States. For prospective in-state students who would like to pursue a Master of Public Health while working full-time, or those outside of D.C. but hesitant to relocate, online MPH programs may be an option.