Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Iowa

Two public health schools in Iowa offer Master of Public Health (MPH) programs that are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): Des Moines University and the University of Iowa. Five public health careers—health specialities professors, occupational health specialists, medical records and health information technicians, dietitians and nutritionists, and health informatics specialists—are projected to be in greater demand in Iowa than they are nationwide.

Residents of the state of Iowa who wish to pursue MPH degrees have a wide range of options. Des Moines University and the University of Iowa have CEPH-accredited MPH programs that are available both on campus and online. 

An online MPH program may give students the flexibility to continue working and to keep up with their personal and family commitments. It is easier than ever to find the time to pursue dreams of obtaining a higher degree, especially for those in the public health domain. Depending on the school and format, these CEPH-accredited MPH programs offer concentrations in health administration and policy, public health practice, biostatistics and other specializations. Students in Iowa seeking other concentrations may want to look into online MPH programs elsewhere.

Public Health Careers Outlook in Iowa

The outlook for public health careers in Iowa differs according to job and location. Health specialties professors and biostatisticians are tied for the careers with the greatest projected growth; both are estimated to grow by 28% through the year 2028 according to O*NET OnLine. In terms of location, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies Johnson and Polk counties as experiencing higher than average weekly wage growth for the state. 

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

Job TitleMedian Salary in IA, 2020 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2020 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in IA, 2018-2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019-2029
Biostatisticians
$55,210
$92,270
38%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
n/a*
$99,090
28%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$73,630
$73,230
8%
8%
Epidemiologists
$66,010
$74,560
n/a*
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$80,980
$104,280
22%
32%
Health Educators
$57,370
$56,500
10%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$69,360
$76,340
10%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$59,360
$51,840
14%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$56,050
$63,090
13%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$86,470
$93,730
13%
7%

*Estimate not released/provided by O*NET

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 April 2021