Even if you’re still working on your undergraduate degree, it’s never too early to start thinking about educational opportunities. The public health field is a considerable concern for governments, businesses, and other organizations concerned with health disparities around the globe. Because of this, healthcare professionals and experts are in high demand.
Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH) students can apply for numerous scholarship programs to support their education. This guide will provide resources for aspiring public health students to see the best Master of Public Health scholarships available to them.
What Is a Master of Public Health?
A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate program that trains people to be effective public health professionals who work primarily for the communities or the general public. An MPH produces public health practitioners who impose the best public health practices and deal with disease prevention and epidemiology.
Many professionals with a Master of Public Health go on to work at health departments, assist with public health education, study infectious diseases, or take on any general career in healthcare. Doctoral students and international students can use this degree to start a public health practice. A public health student can access many careers in health care.
How Much Does a Master of Public Health Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average master’s degree cost was $18,416 per year in 2017, which includes both tuition and fees. The cost of MPH programs may vary depending on the in-state and out-of-state tuition fees. It’s also worth noting that there are also schools that offer online MPH degree courses that can be more affordable.
Master of Public Health Salary: How Much Can You Earn?
According to PayScale, MPH graduates earn an average salary of $66,000 per year, which is equivalent to $24.56 per hour. Epidemiologists, one of the common public health careers for MPH graduates researching infectious diseases, earn an average annual salary of $67,138, while nutritionists earn $49,087 per year, with both numbers from PayScale.
Is a Master of Public Health Worth It?
Yes, earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health is worth it. A higher level of education will bring you an increased number of job opportunities for advanced positions with competitive salaries. This field requires proven in-depth knowledge of healthcare and intensive training. As a result, employers scrutinize applicants and impose a strict hiring process for their job openings.
The public health industry is one of the most in-demand fields in healthcare. Hospitals and institutions need credible healthcare practitioners and educators in the community. A doctoral degree program like an MPH shows that you have expertise in the best health practices.
How to Pay for Your Public Health Graduate Degree with Master of Public Health Scholarships
There are many alternative ways to pay for your Master’s Degree in Public Health tuition. One of the most common alternatives is earning a public health scholarship. These programs give financial aid to students for their education. It also helps them focus on their studies since they don’t need a part-time job to support their school finances.
Before getting a scholarship, you should submit all the requirements to see if you are qualified. Some of the most common qualifications are a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher, a letter of recommendation, and the possession of no other scholarships. Some also require membership in specific organizations such as AUPHA and ACHE.
Best Master of Public Health Scholarships: Overview
| Organization | Scholarship Name | How Much It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| American College of Healthcare Executives | Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship | $5,000 |
| American College of Healthcare Executives | The Foster G. McGaw Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Association of University Programs in Health Administration | Bachrach Family Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Association of University Programs in Health Administration | Corris Boyd Scholar Program | $40,000 |
| Association of University Programs in Health Administration | David A. Winston Health Policy Scholarship Program | $10,000 |
| Capella University | Capella University Progress Program | $3,000 |
| Communities of Excellence 2026 | Lowel and Leslie Kruse Scholarship | $15,000 |
| SHAPE America | Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship | $1,000 |
| University of San Francisco | Social Justice Scholarship | Full tuition |
| Winston Health Policy Fellowship | Winston Health Policy Scholarship | $10,000 |
Best Master of Public Health Scholarships: In Detail
Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship | American College of Healthcare Executives
This scholarship provides $5,000 worth of financial aid offered annually to LGBTQ+ and racially diverse students in their last year of a healthcare graduate program. The scholarship program was created in honor of Albert W. Dent, who was the organization’s first African American fellow.
Students must meet certain qualifications to apply, like enrollment full-time at their university, no previous scholarship awards from this organization, and US or Canadian citizenship or residence during their education. You must also submit a resume, transcripts, and three recommendation letters on your application.
The Foster G. McGaw Scholarship | American College of Healthcare Executives
The Foster G. McGaw Scholarship honors the founder of the American Hospital Supply Corporation, Foster G. McGaw. It helps public health graduate students achieve their educational goals with minimized financial strain. The ACHE offers this scholarship to students in the last year of a healthcare management program.
To qualify, you must be a full-time student enrolled in any healthcare management program such as an MHA degree or MPH degree. ACHE membership is not required, but it is preferred. You should also be a US citizen or a permanent resident in the US. You also need to submit your resume and transcripts through an online application.
Bachrach Family Scholarship | Association of University Programs in Health Administration
Bachrach Family scholarship awards scholarships worth $5,000 for healthcare graduate students in the second year of study at a graduate residential program accredited by CAHME. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time at their institution.
You need to submit your undergrad GPA and latest graduate GPA, transcripts, and resume to apply. You will also need to write a personal statement about the career you want to pursue in healthcare and why the organization should choose you. The application will include two recommendation letters, one from a faculty member and another from an employer.
Corris Boyd Scholars Program | Association of University Programs in Health Administration
This scholarship will grant students in the Corris Boyd scholarship program a $40,000 scholarship. This will cover the tuition and other expenses at any programs they choose from the Association of University Programs of Health Administration (AUPHA). Notably, students receive this scholarship in four installment periods during their academic careers.
To qualify for the scholarship, you must submit all the requirements and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. You must be a student of African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, or any other multiracial descent. You must be a permanent resident in the US and a full-time student.
David A. Winston Health Policy Scholarship Program | Association of University Programs in Health Administration
The David A. Winston Health Policy Scholarship Program helps students in financial need by providing a $10,000 scholarship. This program selects outstanding students based on their school records and recommendations from the faculty staff. Qualified students will be given the scholarship award and hosted at a health policy symposium in Washington, DC.
You must be a member of the AUPHA graduate program who has completed at least five courses. US citizens are the only ones eligible to apply. You must apply directly to AUPHA and submit all the necessary documents such as a resume, transcripts, a statement of your interest in public health policy, and one letter of recommendation from the teaching staff.
Capella University Progress Program | Capella University
Capella University offers an online Master of Public Health degree program with 12 courses and two practicums available. The school gives students a chance to acquire a scholarship worth $3,000 to help them with their educational expenses.
This scholarship aims to give financial aid to newly-admitted or reapplying students. Applicants must meet the academic standards and financial aid satisfactory academic progress (FASAP) requirements. To qualify, you must pass your first course of its program on your first try.
Lowel and Leslie Kruse Scholarship | Communities of Excellence 2026
Lowell and Leslie Kruse founded this scholarship back in 2011. Since then, it has offered annual educational aid to full-time first-year students of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, amounting to $15,000 for three semesters given $5,000 each semester.
Eligible students must be legal residents of the United States and enrolled full-time in a public health course with nine credits or more. You should have a high GPA and academic achievement. You also need to attach a letter of recommendation, your transcript, and a letter explaining why you should receive the scholarship.
Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship | SHAPE America
The Barbara A. Cooley Master’s Scholarship offers a $1,000 scholarship annually to master’s students. Recipients will also be given a complimentary scholarship for one year in SHAPE America. The scholarship helps master’s students enrolled at any accredited colleges or universities in the US.
Students must submit their scholarship applications online once the enrollment period opens. You should provide your latest curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, and your transcripts in PDF format. You are also required to submit an essay that states your professional career goals and your perspective about health education.
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Social Justice Scholarship | University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco offers MPH degree programs for students with excellent academic records who want to level up their public health knowledge. It requires at least a 3.0 GPA for all the applicants. It also has scholarship programs that give financial assistance for students to help them with their expenses.
The social justice scholarship covers the first-year tuition of selected students. This scholarship is only available in limited slots, so you should make sure that you submit all the requirements and meet the qualifications to be eligible for financial assistance.
Winston Health Policy Scholarship | Winston Health Policy Fellowship
The Winston Health Policy Fellowship provides a scholarship program for first-year MPH students who are US citizens. The scholarship program was established in honor of David Winton’s commitment to a high-quality healthcare system.
Applicants are required to submit their resumes consisting of their professional and extracurricular activities. They also need to provide their transcripts and a letter stating their interest in health policy. Two letters from faculty staff and an employer must be
provided also.
How to Pay for Your Public Health Graduate Degree Without Scholarships: Alternative Financial Aid Options
Expenses should not hinder students committed to pursuing an advanced career in public health. Scholarships are not the only option but one of the many ways to help you with your financial needs.
Student Loans
Students can receive lump sum money from the government or private company to cover their educational finances, paid with interest after they graduate. Compared to personal loans, student loans may have a lower interest rate. Some of these also require a cosigner in the agreement.
Federal Work-Study Program
This program provides work-study jobs for graduate and undergraduate students. They will work part-time to help them pay their educational expenses. A work-study program is an excellent opportunity for you to obtain professional work experience while strengthening your academics. These jobs can be community service or any jobs related to your field of study.
Grants
This alternative financial support can be similar to scholarships but consider need-based financial aid. Unlike a merit-based scholarship that depends mainly on the student’s academic performance, grants are awarded based on the student’s financial needs.
Should You Apply for Master of Public Health Scholarships?
Yes, you should apply for the MPH scholarships to support your education. Aside from the financial support you will receive, scholarships have many benefits and can boost your resume. Since scholarships often have strict qualifications, earning one means you have an excellent academic background, which will make a good impression on employers.
Master of Public Health Scholarships FAQ
Is it hard to get an MPH scholarship?
Yes, most of the MPH scholarship programs have strict eligibility criteria. Their requirements aim to select deserving students with excellent academic records and achievements who need financial assistance for their studies.
What GPA is required to get an MPH scholarship?
Typically, most scholarship programs require a 3.0 GPA, but students with a higher GPA will stand out from the rest of the application pool. GPA will help the organization see if you are eligible and qualified for the scholarship. Having good grades will increase your chance to receive the award.
What are the career opportunities for MPH graduates?
Some of the most popular career paths for MPH grads are epidemiologists, healthcare administrators, dieticians, pharmacists, health educators, and nutritionists. There are many career opportunities with excellent pay and benefits waiting for you after graduating with a Master of Public Health.
How do I qualify for MPH scholarships?
To be eligible for MPH scholarships, you must comply with all the requirements and meet the criteria imposed for the applicants. Research the scholarship you want to apply for and know the qualifications you must have before submitting your applications. You should also be sure of your intent for applying for that program and why you want to pursue a public health career.
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