Key Takeaways:
- A DrPH prepares experienced public health professionals for executive, policy, and leadership roles rather than academic research careers.
- Estimated total costs among these online DrPH programs range from around $16,600 to over $70,000, so the budget varies widely by school.
- Most online DrPH programs require a master’s degree for admission, though a few accept applicants with only a bachelor’s degree.
If you already work in public health and want to move into a leadership seat, a Doctor of Public Health can get you there. It is a practice-focused doctorate designed for people who want to run programs, shape policy, or lead departments rather than spend their careers in a research lab.
Picking the right program takes some digging, though, since schools structure their DrPH tracks differently and price them just as differently. GetEducated put together this guide, along with a broader directory of public health degree programs, to make that research easier.
Top Online DrPH Programs to Consider
Whether you are looking for a lower-cost state school option or a specialized concentration in global health or health equity, the programs below span a wide range of budgets and focus areas. Many are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the leading accrediting body for public health degrees, so keep an eye on that distinction as you compare options.
GetEducated's Picks
- Walden University Doctor of Philosophy in Health Education & Promotion - Global Health
- Walden University Doctor of Philosophy in Health Education & Promotion - Management & Leadership
- Walden University Doctor of Philosophy in Health Education & Promotion - Population Health
If a doctorate feels like a bigger commitment than you are ready for right now, GetEducated also ranks affordable online MPH programs worth a look, and reviewing CEPH-accredited program standards can help you understand what that accreditation actually covers.
1. Walden University: Doctor of Public Health
Walden’s DrPH is built for practitioners who already hold a Master of Public Health and want to lead healthier, more resilient communities without repeating foundational coursework. The program lets MPH holders skip introductory public health classes entirely, which trims both time and cost.
- Estimated Cost: $54,010
- Credits: 82
- Format: Mostly Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
Walden built this track specifically for working MPH graduates, so it moves faster than many other DrPH programs on this list. Visit Walden’s DrPH tuition page for current pricing.
2. Georgia Southern University: Doctorate of Public Health
This program from Georgia Southern trains students to shape health policy, improve population health outcomes, and prevent disease through its Public Health Leadership concentration. Coursework leans heavily on problem-solving and translating research into real community solutions.
- Estimated Cost: $16,620
- Credits: 60
- Format: 100% Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Admission Tests: GRE
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
Topics covered include health organization strategic planning, financial management, health informatics, and health policy. Check Georgia Southern’s tuition and fees page for the latest rates.
3. University of Nebraska Medical Center: Doctor of Public Health
UNMC’s DrPH prepares graduates for administrative leadership across public, private, and academic settings, with coursework spanning data analysis, policy, and program management. Students can add an optional concentration in Epidemiology or Emergency Preparedness.
- Estimated Cost: $37,645.50
- Credits: 54
- Format: 100% Online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Admission Tests: GRE
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
Graduates typically move into roles like health policy advisor, community health manager, or public health program director. Visit UNMC’s cost of attendance page for tuition details.
4. University of South Florida: Doctor of Public Health
USF’s online DrPH focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs through evidence-based decision making, backed by applied practice experience. Two concentrations let you tailor the degree: Advanced Practice Leadership in Public Health, or Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice.
- Estimated Cost (Out of State): $39,008.31
- Estimated Cost (In State): $19,841.49
- Credits: 43
- Format: Mostly Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Admission Tests: GRE
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
At 43 credits, this is one of the shorter DrPH tracks on this list. Check USF’s tuition rates page for current in state and out of state costs.
5. Mercer University: Doctor of Public Health in Diverse Populations and Health Equity
Mercer’s DrPH explores epidemiological and health equity concepts while pushing students to engage with communities at the local, national, and global levels. The Diverse Populations and Health Equity concentration trains graduates to design and evaluate programs that specifically serve disadvantaged and minority groups.
- Estimated Cost: $58,482
- Credits: 57
- Format: 100% Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
This program leans into social justice and health equity more than most other DrPH tracks, which makes it a strong fit for students focused on underserved communities. See Mercer’s graduate tuition and fees page for cost specifics.
6. University of Illinois at Chicago: Doctor of Public Health in Leadership
UIC built this DrPH for mid-career public health professionals who want deeper leadership training across every corner of the field, from research and policy to health systems management. Courses draw on current research, theory, and field practice.
- Estimated Cost: $63,040
- Credits: 64
- Format: Mostly Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA
- Accreditation: CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health
Graduates come out ready to lead practice-based research and influence policy at the local, national, or international level. Visit UIC’s financial aid page for tuition information.
7. Indiana University Online: Doctor of Public Health in Global Health Leadership
This IUPUI program trains students to tackle complex, worldwide public health challenges, with coursework relevant whether graduates work in the United States or abroad. Faculty come from institutions across the globe, which adds an international perspective to every course.
- Estimated Cost (Out of State): $70,176.95
- Estimated Cost (In State): $32,376.95
- Credits: 45
- Format: Mostly Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA
The in state and out of state cost gap here is significant, so confirm your residency status before enrolling. Visit Indiana University’s cost calculator for current tuition figures.
8. Loma Linda University: Doctor of Public Health
Loma Linda’s DrPH deepens a health education specialization while sharpening research, writing, and management skills for future leadership roles. The program emphasizes healthful lifestyle behaviors and community health education throughout its coursework.
- Estimated Cost: $70,625
- Credits: 62
- Format: 100% Online
- Minimum Education: Master’s degree, minimum 3.5 GPA
- Restricted States: Not available in AL, AR, CT, KY, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, OH, OR, RI, TN, VA, WV, WI
Graduates often pursue university-level teaching or roles managing and evaluating health education programs domestically and globally. See Loma Linda’s financial information page for tuition costs.
DrPH Online Public Health Programs FAQs
Here are answers to common questions students ask before applying to a DrPH online public health program.
What is the difference between a DrPH and a PhD in public health?
A DrPH is a practice-focused doctorate built for professionals moving into leadership, administration, or policy roles, while a PhD in public health typically trains students for academic research and teaching careers. If you are drawn to a related practice doctorate instead, it is worth comparing online Doctor of Health Science programs, which cover similar administrative and clinical leadership ground.
Do I need a master’s degree before applying to a DrPH program?
Most programs on this list require a master’s degree, often a Master of Public Health, before admission. A couple of schools, including University of Nebraska Medical Center, accept applicants with only a bachelor’s degree, so check individual program requirements closely.
What jobs can I get with a DrPH?
DrPH graduates typically move into leadership roles such as health department director, health policy advisor, or program director within public, private, or academic organizations. GetEducated’s overview of public health career paths breaks down several of these options in more detail. For a closely related leadership track, online healthcare administration doctorates can also lead to similar director-level positions.
How much do public health leaders typically earn?
Pay varies widely by role and setting, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical and health services managers earned a median annual wage of $117,960 as of May 2024, with much faster-than-average job growth projected through 2034. Many DrPH graduates land in comparable leadership positions.
Does CEPH accreditation matter for a DrPH program?
Yes. CEPH, the Council on Education for Public Health, is the primary accrediting body for public health degrees, and most employers and licensing bodies recognize it as the standard for program quality. Nearly every program on this list carries CEPH accreditation.
Start Leading Public Health Initiatives With an Online DrPH
Whether your goal is running a health department, shaping policy at the state level, or leading community health initiatives worldwide, an online DrPH can move your career into leadership territory without requiring you to put your job on hold. Costs and requirements vary widely from school to school, so take time to compare concentrations, credit loads, and admission requirements before committing. If you want to browse more options beyond this list, GetEducated’s directory of online public health doctorates is a good next stop.