Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Minnesota 

Public health experts are the primary source for protecting citizens in everyday life from professional settings to personal interactions with society. If this field is of particular interest to you, consider higher degree programs as a great option for you. Minnesota is home to three public health schools that offer Master of Public Health (MPH) programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): St. Catherine University, University of Minnesota and Walden University, offering multiple options for prospective students. Additionally, five public health careers in Minnesota are projected to grow faster in the state than the national average. Read on to learn more about these public health schools and the MPH programs offered, as well as public health career opportunities to consider across the state.

Flexible educational opportunities, such as online MPH programs,  are increasing in popularity. The reliability in online programs has also increased significantly with the application of accreditation to online and traditional programs. While a large number of universities sometimes offer MPH programs via an online setting, only three universities currently offer CEPH-accredited MPH programs in this state: St. Catherine University, University of Minnesota and Walden University. Depending on the school, concentrations in biostatistics, maternal and child health, generalist, or other specializations are also available. 

Public Health Careers Outlook in Minnesota

Hospitals, research facilities, and local government agencies seek out the expertise of public health professionals to assist with the development of helpful prevention programs for their citizens. Epidemiology may be a field for you if you want to assist others with leading healthier lives and taking the necessary precautions against illness and disease. In Minnesota, medical records and health information technicians make a yearly median salary of $74,060, which is higher than the U.S. median salary for the field.

Other public health careers, such as medical and health services managers or healthcare administrators, earn the highest median salary at $101,560 a year. On the other hand, biostatisticians are projected to experience the greatest job growth at 33%  through the year 2028. In terms of location, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that from 2019 through 2020 Hennepin and Dakota counties had wage increases greater than the average for the state.

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

Job TitleMedian Salary in  MN, 2020 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2020 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in MN, 2018-2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019–2029
Biostatisticians
$83,240
$92,270
33%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
n/a*
$99,090
12%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$77,410
$73,230
12%
8%
Epidemiologists
$74,850
$74,560
0%
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$101,560
$104,280
17%
32%
Health Educators
$58,590
$56,50
9%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$78,890
$76,340
5%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$74,060
$51,840
10%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$63,330
$63,090
9%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$96,340
$93,730
8%
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 May 2021