Top MPH Programs in Indiana
Indiana is one of the biggest states on the forefront of public health education, with renowned programs at several universities. Depending on your area of interest, Indiana schools have you covered. You can find programs in Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Physical Activity and Public Health Administration, among others.
In Indiana, the rural and aging population, along with the urban centers dealing with things like disease management and public welfare, need public health professionals more than ever. Take a look at our list to find the best fit MPH program for you.
1. Indiana University Bloomington MPH Program
The IU School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University Bloomington achieved full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) on July 1, 2015. About 400 graduate students pursue degrees and certificates at the school, with support from 130 full-time faculty members across 31 graduate programs in five departments.
Multiple delivery formats allow students to pursue their MPH. The online option lets you complete the degree in as little as 15 months through accelerated eight-week courses. Classes start in January, March, May, June, August, and October. The hybrid format blends online coursework with some in-person components. Residential programs offer traditional on-campus experiences. Both online and hybrid formats provide the same curriculum and faculty, with similar admission criteria.
Specializations and Curriculum
IU Bloomington offers seven MPH concentrations: Behavioral, Social, and Community Health; Biostatistics; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Parks and Recreation; Physical Activity; and Public Health Administration. The Public Health Administration track prepares students for leadership roles in public and private sectors. The focus is on policy development, finance, budgeting, program evaluation, and resource management.
Most concentrations require students to complete a minimum of 44 graduate credit hours. The curriculum begins with the Public Health Foundations online course, which all MPH students complete during their first semester. The integrated public health core has 12 credits across four courses: Assessment and Public Health (SPH-X 601), Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health (SPH-X 650), Population Health Determinants (SPH-X 660), and Public Health Policy and Politics (SPH-X 685).
Professional development has eight credits through two professional development seminars and a 160-hour internship in a public health organization or agency. This practical experience requires about 10 hours per week if completed within one 16-week semester. Students work with preceptors to develop objectives and create two digital products during this time.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate satisfactory preparation in mathematics and computer skills. The program requires a minimum of one year of undergraduate mathematics, such as algebra, statistics, or finite math. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The selection process considers references, work experience, personal statements, and interviews where applicable.
Applications proceed through SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service), which aids the collection of application materials. The personal statement requires responses to five specific questions, each limited to 100 words. Topics address interest in public health, reasons for choosing Fairbanks School of Public Health, concentration priorities, five-year professional goals, and current pressing public health issues.
Applicants submit three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who can provide critical assessment of abilities and skills. Professors, academic advisors, internship preceptors, or immediate supervisors are acceptable sources. Coworkers, colleagues, teaching assistants, classmates, ministers, and relatives are not acceptable.
International applicants whose native language is not English must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. The preferred minimum scores are 92 for internet-based TOEFL, 263 for computer-based TOEFL, 620 for paper-based TOEFL, or 7 for IELTS. Scores must be under two years old at the time of application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Part-time graduate students paid $408 per credit hour for in-state tuition and $1,331 per credit hour for out-of-state tuition. Graduate students are billed each semester based on their courseload, so costs can fluctuate.
The school offers several financial support options. Both in-state and out-of-state students who apply by the priority application deadline can access the MPH Fellowship Program. Graduate assistantships provide stipends ranging from $10,000 to $12,500 for the academic year, based on whether students are enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs. Master’s student assistantships are awarded for one year.
Assistantship recipients working 15 to 30 hours per week while enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester may receive limited or full fee remission. Fee remission covers up to 30 credit hours per 12-month period, with a maximum of 12 credit hours in any semester. It does not cover dedicated fees, mandatory fees, and course-related fees. Students should expect to pay about $32 per credit hour for the unremittable portion plus mandatory and special course-related fees.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
Public health careers span regulatory agencies, advocacy groups, professional associations, think tanks, consulting firms, government agencies at all levels, nonprofit organizations, businesses, hospitals, county health departments, universities, and health foundations. An MPH specializing in public health administration leads to positions such as evaluation specialist, public health advisor, public health policy analyst, public health research coordinator, program manager, project director, program coordinator, and public health consultant.
Indiana University achieved a 93% placement rate in 2021, with 74% of students accepting job offers within six months of graduating. Another 30.7% of graduates chose to pursue higher education. The average annual salary for 2021 graduates was $49,233, while the median salary stood at $47,000. Public health graduates from IU made an average of $41,725 during the early career stage.
Sixty students received their master’s degree in public health during the 2019-2020 academic year, with 71.7% being women and 36.7% representing racial-ethnic minorities. The school maintains strong industry connections. Employers such as IU Health, Epic Systems Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Amazon, and Deloitte recruit graduates.
2. Purdue University Master of Public Health
Purdue University’s Master of Public Health program holds full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools of public health and public health programs. Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences operates the program entirely online. This provides flexibility for working professionals to advance their public health careers while you retain control of your current commitments.
The online MPH spans seven semesters or about two years. Classes are structured in eight-week formats. The practicum component extends 16 weeks and requires students to dedicate 15-20 hours weekly to coursework. The program offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Students can begin in January (Spring), April/May (Summer), or August (Fall). This rolling admission structure allows professionals to enter when their schedules permit rather than wait for traditional fall semesters.
Students can choose full-time and part-time enrollment options. This allows them to customize their pace based on professional and personal obligations. The curriculum blends scientific rigor with ground application and prepares graduates to tackle public health crises facing their communities.
Specializations and Curriculum
Purdue’s MPH offers three concentration options: Family and Community Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics. The Family and Community Health concentration examines social, cultural, and economic factors that shape public health outcomes in families and communities. The definition of family continues to evolve and racial and economic disparities grow. This track prepares students to review and address changing dynamics that affect health and access to services.
The Epidemiology concentration builds expertise in tracking, analyzing, and preventing disease across populations. Students explore core methods of epidemiological research through courses that have Design and Analysis of Randomized Trials in Public Health, Public Health Surveillance, and Applied Regression Analysis. This concentration focuses on study design, surveillance systems, and statistical modeling to identify patterns and review interventions.
Most concentrations require students to complete 42 credits, while the Epidemiology track requires 43 credit hours. The curriculum has 18 credits of required core courses. These cover Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Introduction to Environmental Health, Introduction to Quantitative Methods of Public Health, Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior, Public Health Administration, and Design and Analysis of Public Health Interventions. Students enroll in a graduate seminar every semester, though this carries zero credits.
Concentration coursework has 15 credits, followed by three elective credits from approved public health-related courses. Experiential learning accounts for six credits through a 200-hour public health practicum (or 160 hours with approved prior work experience) and a culminating capstone project. The practicum focuses on understanding, implementing, and evaluating public health intervention processes. Students complete it under qualified preceptor mentorship.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent on a 4.0 scale. The traditional MPH track for post-baccalaureate students follows this standard requirement. Purdue also offers a combined 4+1 degree option that requires a higher 3.5 GPA. Students apply during their junior year spring semester.
The application package has official transcripts from all universities attended, three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, a statement of purpose, and a personal history statement. The statement of purpose should address academic interests, objectives, background preparation, and program fit. Domestic students pay an application fee of $60 and international applicants pay $75.
Traditional MPH applications proceed through SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service). The residential program maintains priority deadlines of February 1 for both domestic and international applicants, with a final domestic deadline of July 1. Online MPH applications have different timelines. Deadlines are April 20 for Summer, August 10 for Fall, and December 10 for Spring.
Applicants may submit GRE or GMAT scores to consider, though neither is required for admission.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Indiana residents pay $618.80 per credit hour while out-of-state residents pay $818.80 per credit hour. The program requires 42-43 total credit hours. The complete program costs $25,989.60 for residents and $34,389.60 for non-residents. These figures exclude textbook fees, which vary by course.
Graduate assistantships provide competitive stipends along with tuition waivers and most fee coverage. Students with appointments of at least 0.50 FTE qualify for the university-subsidized Graduate Staff Health Plan. They may receive additional benefits that have paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and family leave. More than 60% of Purdue graduate students hold assistantships during their programs.
Financial aid options have Stafford loans, graduate PLUS loans, military programs, and private lender loans. Military servicemembers receive 17-30% tuition reduction per credit for graduate programs, while veterans receive 14% per credit.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
MPH graduates pursue roles as Public Health Program Managers, Health Policy Analysts, Epidemiologists, and Community Health Educators. Employment sectors have health departments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare systems. The World Health Organization projects a shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030. This will affect low and lower-middle income countries particularly.
Alumni secure positions in private sector healthcare facilities, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, public health departments, community clinics, disaster preparedness agencies, nonprofit organizations focusing on specific populations or illnesses, and academic institutions. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, a distinguished alumna recognized with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences, credits her Purdue education for shaping her career in mental health and substance abuse policy across state and federal governments.
3. Indiana University Indianapolis MPH Program
Program Overview and Format
The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indianapolis delivers its MPH program through two distinct formats that accommodate a variety of student needs. Students can choose between a hybrid experience that combines online and in-person elements or an accelerated 100% online program featuring eight-week semesters. The accelerated online track makes completion possible in as little as 15 months.
Both formats provide the same curriculum, faculty access and admission criteria. Students can switch between formats after accepting admission or once after matriculating. All students begin in the Interdisciplinary Public Health Studies (IPHS) concentration and select their specific concentration during the second semester.
Specializations and Curriculum
IU Indianapolis offers five MPH concentrations. The Epidemiology track focuses on designing studies, analyzing data and presenting findings that inform prevention strategies and policy development. Health Policy & Management prepares students to analyze policies that address public health issues and manage health services organizations strategically.
The Interdisciplinary Public Health Studies concentration provides maximum flexibility for students pursuing multiple interest areas or those in dual degree programs (MPH-MD, MPH-DDS) who seek to improve research or clinical practice without becoming public health practitioners. Public Health Informatics teaches critical thinking about population-level data and applies informatics approaches to pressing public health challenges. Social & Behavioral Sciences examines health determinants, behavior change theories and health promotion intervention development.
The 45-credit curriculum has six core courses (18 credits) covering Introduction to Public Health, Social and Behavioral Science, Biostatistics, Environmental Science, Fundamentals of Epidemiology and U.S. Healthcare Systems & Health Policy. Concentration courses require 12 credits across four specialized courses, while electives account for nine credits. Students complete five practical experience credits through a two-credit internship and three-credit capstone experience. Students must also complete a one-credit CPH Exam Review Course.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least one year of undergraduate mathematics, such as algebra, statistics or finite math. The personal statement requires concise responses to five specific questions, each limited to 100 words (500 words total). These address interest origins, reasons for selecting Fairbanks School, concentration choices, five-year professional possibilities and current pressing public health issues.
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within the past two years. Minimum scores include 92 for internet-based TOEFL, 263 for computer-based TOEFL, 620 for paper-based TOEFL or 7 for IELTS.
Students from CEPH-accredited programs may transfer up to 15 credit hours of coursework with grades of “B” or better completed within the past three years. Transfers from non-CEPH accredited programs are limited to nine credit hours.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates per credit hour are $593.50 for Indiana residents (in-person/hybrid and online), $1,440.00 for out-of-state residents (in-person/hybrid) and $639.54 for out-of-state residents (online).
The Fairbanks School offers several scholarships. The FSPH Graduate Scholarship provides four one-time awards of $2,400 each for full-time master’s students maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Unpaid internship stipends range from $500 to $1,000 to reduce financial barriers. The Outrun the Sun Scholarship supports epidemiology students interested in melanoma research and requires a 3.2 GPA.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
Nearly 90% of master’s student alumni reported full-time employment. Prominent employers include educational institutions, healthcare organizations and large corporations. Graduate students access professional development through the Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals (PFFP) program, which provides year-round programming, workshops and networking opportunities.
4. University of Indianapolis MPH in Health Disparities
Program Overview and Format
The University of Indianapolis distinguishes itself among MPH programs in Indiana through its specialized concentration in health disparities, defined as preventable differences in the health of various populations. UIndy’s approach centers on core public health values of community collaboration and social justice. The program intentionally combines academic preparation with planned community-based projects embedded throughout coursework, plus an intensive professional practice experience.
The 42-credit program operates 100% online with occasional synchronous sessions. This makes it available to students whatever their location and work situation. Students can complete the program in two years, including summer semesters. Alternate schedules for three-year or four-year program completion are available for those needing more flexibility. New students must attend a synchronous MPH orientation in August prior to their first year.
Specializations and Curriculum
UIndy focuses exclusively on health disparities, unlike other MPH programs in Indiana offering multiple concentrations. The curriculum provides foundational and practical knowledge to apply an ecological approach that promotes health and health equity for communities worldwide. Students practice skills that include program planning, monitoring and evaluation, grant writing, culturally competent communication, advocacy, and leadership for public health improvement.
The program requires a minimum of 42 hours: 18 hours of core classes, six hours of skills classes, 12 hours of concentration classes, and six hours of professional experience. Core courses include Biostatistics for Public Health Professionals, Understanding & Utilization of Epidemiology, Principles of Environmental Health, Health Systems Management, Social & Behavioral Science Applications, and Cultural Competency for Improving Public Health.
Students complete a Professional Practice Experience requiring 200 individual hours of supervised public health work. Sites include governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial, and for-profit settings. The experience must include attention to health disparities. Students design and deliver four distinct products in conjunction with their field practicum as their culminating Capstone experience.
Admission Requirements
Programs within the Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Sciences employ an integrated approach to applicant review. The admissions team thinks about everything in the application beyond academic history. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any subject matter. Full admission requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0. The admissions team can review your experience, personal statement, and academic history for potential conditional admission if your cumulative GPA falls below this requirement.
Additional requirements include official transcripts from all college-level institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, evidence of satisfactory preparation in math and computer skills, a resume or CV, and a 2-3 page personal statement describing interest in public health and health disparities.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition is $670 per credit hour for the online MPH program. Students must pay tuition one month prior to the beginning of each semester. A technology fee is assessed each semester, including summer.
Each year, a graduate assistantship becomes available for MPH students. The selected student works 10 hours per week for the program in exchange for a pay rate of $10.00 per hour and tuition remission for a 3-credit hour course in both fall and spring semesters.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
Graduates pursue careers as Global Immunization Specialists, Public Health Supervisors, Epidemiologists, Directors of Quality Improvement, Project Managers, Directors of Grant Programs, Program Managers or Directors, Health Program Officers, and Health Promotion Coordinators. Alumni work in health care, government, non-profit, private, industry, and academic settings.
5. Indiana State University Online MPH
Program Overview and Format
Indiana State’s online MPH provides education designed for professionals who seek advancement beyond entry-level positions, additional organizational responsibilities, or preparation for doctoral studies. All courses operate online without requiring campus visits. The program employs both synchronous and asynchronous class formats. This gives you flexibility while you maintain regular faculty interaction through virtual office hours and video conferences.
Full-time faculty maintain consistent availability through the personal learning environment and support you throughout your academic trip. You’ll work with assigned advisors who provide guidance on program requirements, graduation procedures, and everything in your MPH experience. Meeting with your advisor upon acceptance is encouraged, and you should continue regular consultations.
Specializations and Curriculum
The 39-credit program combines coursework in applied health sciences with practical field experience. You’ll complete an internship under faculty guidance and gain hands-on exposure to public health practice. The program ends in either a thesis or research project that allows you to demonstrate mastery of public health principles.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better for graduation. Any grade below B- requires course retaking for core classes, while earning two such grades results in program dismissal. Before collecting thesis or project data, you must get approval through the Human Subjects Committee.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a relevant field. The program requires completion of one semester of college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or statistics.
GPA requirements offer multiple qualification pathways: a minimum 2.7 cumulative undergraduate GPA, 3.0 in the last 60 undergraduate credits, 3.0 in your major field, or 3.0 in graduate-level courses. Meeting these minimums doesn’t guarantee admission.
Your application package has a current curriculum vitae, personal statement detailing your goals and experience, two recommendation letters (one academic and one professional work best), and official transcripts sent directly to Graduate Admissions. The GRE is not required. Application fees are $45 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $65 for international students.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The program begins each fall semester, with applications accepted until the end of spring semester in May. Early application is encouraged, especially when you’re seeking assistantship opportunities.
Financial aid options have federal loans, assistantships, and scholarships. Indiana State provides $16 million in annual scholarship awards, with 80% of full-time students receiving scholarships and grants.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
Indiana State achieved a 94% placement rate for the Class of 2022, with 66% of graduates remaining in Indiana. The average starting salary reached $56,845. College of Health and Human Services graduates averaged $63,367 in full-time salaries with a 95% placement rate.
Employment of health educators is projected to grow 14% from 2022 to 2032, while epidemiologists face 27% projected growth. Graduates pursue positions as epidemiologists, healthcare administrators, health informatics specialists, environmental health managers, nutritionists, and public health project managers.
6. Ball State University Public Health Graduate Program
Program Overview and Format
Ball State University’s College of Health doesn’t offer a traditional MPH. Instead, it provides a Master of Science in Health Science with concentration in biostatistics and epidemiology. The 100% online program requires 38 credits and takes 2.5 years to complete. Students can start in Fall or Spring cohorts.
Specializations and Curriculum
The program focuses on biostatistics and epidemiology, which prepares students for data-heavy public health careers. Required core courses total 14 credits. Concentration courses comprise 12 credits, and students select 6 elective credits. The final component offers either a thesis or non-thesis option for 6 credits.
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA. Most students don’t need GRE scores. The application fee is $60. Ball State alumni, veterans, and active-duty military qualify for fee waivers.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Indiana residents pay $464 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $696 per credit for online courses. Graduate assistantships provide stipends from $10,000 to $12,500 each year.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Success
Graduates pursue positions as biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and research scientists. Ball State achieved a 77% full-time employment rate for 2021 graduates.
Choose Your Indiana MPH Today
These programs offer different pathways into public health careers in Indiana. You might prefer IU Bloomington’s seven concentrations, Purdue’s flexible online format, or UIndy’s specialized focus on health disparities. Each program provides unique advantages designed to fit different professional goals.
Your decision should depend on your specific needs in the end: program format (online versus hybrid), specialization interests, tuition costs, and career objectives. Strong placement rates exist at these institutions. Investing in yourself by getting an MPH positions you for meaningful effect on public health.
Figure out which program lines up best with your circumstances and start your application process there.