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Tuition and Fees for 2020/21
The following tuition rates and fees are effective as of September 2020. The same full-time tuition rate is charged to students taking anywhere between 12 and 18 credits of coursework. The Trustees of the University reserve the right to change tuition rates or fees at their discretion. Click here to view the University tuition schedule for SPH.
Master of Public Health (MPH)
First semester students are encouraged to limit their registration to no more than 16 credits or four courses. Per university tuition policies, full-time students may enroll in a maximum of 18 credits per semester. Students taking more than 18 credits in a given semester must receive approval and pay $1,777 per credit for every credit over 18.
Please note that students have the flexibility to switch between part- and full-time status on a semester basis; many students do so in order to balance their academic and professional calendars, or accommodate research and practice opportunities that may arise. Students completing the program in 3 semesters (16 months) will register for three full-time semesters. Students completing the program in 2 years will register for 1 or 2 full-time semesters and 2 or 3 part-time semesters, charged per credit. In either design, the total tuition charge for the MPH remains the same.
MPH — 16-months/Accelerated
| Fall | Spring | Fall |
| 16 Credits | 16 Credits | 16 Credits |
| $28,432 | $28,432 | $28,432 |
| Total: $85,296* |
MPH — 2-years/Full-time
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
| 16 credits | 16 credits | 8 credits | 8 credits |
| $28,432 | $28,432 | $1,777/credit | $1,777/credit |
| Total: $85,296* |
MPH — Part Time
Students will pay on a per-credit basis at the established per credit rate of $1,777. For example, a student taking 4 credits during a semester will be charged $7,108 ($1,777 x 4). This does not include the mandatory student fees listed below.
*Fees: There is a $150 program fee per fall and spring semester for all students, and a $228 health and wellness fee per semester for all full-time students. All fees are nonrefundable. The student is assessed at actual cost for any breakage or damage to University property. Library fines are assessed by the librarian.
Other Programs – Executive MPH, MS, DrPH, PhD, and Graduate Certificates
Per university tuition policies, full-time students may enroll in a maximum of 18 credits per semester. Students taking more than 18 credits in a given semester must receive approval and pay $1,777 per credit for every credit over 18. Please note that students have the flexibility to switch between part- and full-time status on a semester basis; many students do so in order to balance their academic and professional calendars, or accommodate research and practice opportunities that may arise.
| Number of Credits | Part-time | Tuition** | Full-time | Tuition** | |
| MS & PhD in Biostatistics | See Tuition for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | ||||
| Executive MPH | 42 credits total | 1-11 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 12-18 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
| MS in Applied Biostatistics | 34 credits total | 1-11 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 12-18 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
| MS in Population Health Research | 34 credits total | 1-11 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 12-18 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
| DrPH | 48 credits total | 1-11 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 12-18 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
| PhD (post-master’s) | 32 credits total | 1-11 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 12-18 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
| Graduate Certificate in Public Health | 16 credits total | 4-8 credits/semester | $1,777/credit | 16 credits/semester | $28,432/semester |
**Fees: There is a $150 program fee for fall and spring semester for all students. For thesis and dissertation students, there is a Continuing Study fee of $3,554 per semester; other fees apply for full-time status. All fees are nonrefundable. The student is assessed at actual cost for any breakage or damage to University property. Library fines are assessed by the librarian
Medical Insurance
Massachusetts law requires all students who are enrolled in at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum (9 credits)* to demonstrate coverage under a qualifying medical insurance plan. Students are automatically enrolled in Boston University’s Aetna Student Health Plan. Students who wish to demonstrate other coverage must waive the Medical Insurance posted to Account Bills. Students who cannot demonstrate coverage under a qualifying medical insurance plan are required to purchase the University’s student health insurance plan. Rates shown include Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes and fees.
| Annual Plan | Spring Plan | |
| August 15, 2019-August 14, 2020 | January 1, 2019-August 14, 2019 | |
| Basic | $2,466 | — |
| Plus | $3,297 | $2,031 |
| Spouse only** | $3,297 | $2,031 |
| One Child** | $3,297 | $2,031 |
| Children** | $6,594 | $4,062 |
* Part-time students who enroll for fewer than 9 credits are also eligible to purchase medical insurance. For information, contact the Office of the Comptroller. International students should contact the International Students & Scholars office. A brochure on medical insurance is available from the Registrar. The insurance premium is subject to change.
Individuals who hold master’s degrees in public health typically pursue careers in hospital management, in administration for a public health agency (such as a state or national department of public health), in pharmaceutical research, in biotechnology, or in nutrition.Typical costs: |
| The price for a master’s degree in public health varies based on in-state and out-of-state tuition at public schools. Graduate programs in public health are also offered at private universities, which typically have no difference in costs for out-of-state applicants.A master’s degree in public health typically costs $16,000-$33,000 for in-state tuition and fees or $25,000-$60,000 for out-of-state tuition and fees. This cost represents tuition and fees only for a two-year graduate program, which is most common. Residents can often attend a state school for 46-51% of the cost of the non-resident rate. For example, the master’s program at the University of Iowa[1] costs $24,536 for residents or $52,228 for non-residents, a 46%cost increase.Online degree programs and private school programs in public health typically cost $26,000-$33,000. For example, a degree from Benedictine University[2] , a Catholic university in Lisle, IL, costs $32,340. A similar degree at Capella University[3] , an online degree program and for-profit university, costs $26,280.Related articles: College, Law School, MBA, Career Counseling, Life or Business Coach |
| What should be included: |
| A master’s degree in public health typically requires 42-60 credits. It may include coursework such as statistics, health education, nutrition, maternal and child health, and health services administration.Most public health master’s programs are for full-time students attending for two years, although some programs will accept part-time students or offer accelerated degree programs or online classes.Additional costs: |
| Housing and food costs can add an additional $10,000-$20,000 per year. For example, housing at the University of California Berkeley typically costs $12,000-$16,000 per academic year and some type of meal plan is required at a cost of $6 to $7 per meal.Books and supplies for a Master of Public Health typically range from $1,000-$3,000 total. The Rollins School of Public Health[4] at Emory University estimates graduate students will spend $650 per semester on books, for a total of $2,600 over two years.Health insurance and personal expenses for master’s students can add another $3,000-$10,000 per year. For example, students at the Harvard School of Public Health[5] can expect to pay about $3,000 for university health services fee and a health insurance plan from an outside provider. Personal expenses and food can cost an additional $6,600 per year.Transportation costs can add another $600-$3,000 per year to the graduate student’s experience. At Texas A&M Health Science Center[6] , students can expect to add $1,143 for transportation fees.Discounts: |
| Some universities offer a limited number of assistantships for master’s programs. If granted an assistantship, a student may work part-time researching in the field or teaching courses at the university while earning a stipend which can be used towards tuition and other expenses. For example, the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health[7] selects several graduate students to work 20 hours per week as teaching assistants[8] for a stipend of $7,760 per term. (Tuition at the school costs $10,144 per term for Pennsylvania residents or $17,341 per term for non-residents.)Scholarships may be available to students who meet program qualifications such as a high GPA or a proven financial need. College Scholarships[9] details $500-$5,000 scholarships ranging for studying public health at the graduate level. Unlike college loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid. As another example, the HCA Corris Boyd Scholars Program[10] offers two $40,000 scholarships to deserving students of color entering a graduate program in healthcare management.Shopping for a master’s degree in public health: |
| What is Public Health offers comprehensive information[11] on the public health field, education, jobs and more. The resource is put together by the Association of Schools of Public Health, which provides a searchable database[12] of schools offering public health degrees. |
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