Is a degree in public health worth it? | edX

Is a degree in public health worth it?Written by: Jason Lee, Edited by: Jenny KiesewetterPublished: February 11, 2025While doctors and nurses are important to the health and wellbeing of our communities, a significant portion of the progress we see each year comes from the efforts of public health workers and officials. With a degree in public health, you may learn skills to help drive meaningful change and empower people and communities to be healthier and happier.Learn about the benefits and potential salaries associated with earning a bachelor's in public health degree to help you determine if pursuing one is worthwhile for you.What is a bachelor's degree in public health?A bachelor's degree in public health is a four-year program designed to prepare students for a wide array of careers in the public health sector. A public health degree can be used as a prerequisite for medical school, but it also can be used to prepare you for several other careers in the private and government sectors.Some of the topics covered while earning a bachelor's in public health degree include:Environmental healthHealth administrationChemistryGlobal healthSocial determinants of healthAdditionally, some public health degree programs may allow students to concentrate their studies in a specific area of health, such as epidemiology, health policy and management, environmental health, or emergency management.Benefits of a bachelor's degree in public healthBesides being a strong prerequisite for advanced schooling, a degree in public health comes with many additional benefits, including:Unique opportunities in private, nonprofit, and government agenciesDirect pathways to an industry that is poised to continue growing rapidlyInvolvement in initiatives that impact the health and happiness of your local, national, or global communityOpportunities to impact policy on a national and global scale to combat disease, strengthen disaster relief efforts, and contribute to social changeHow much money can you make with a bachelor's degree in public health?When it comes to job opportunities with a bachelor's degree in public health, several career pathways may be available. Here are a few common options, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):Environmental health specialistMedian annual salary (May 2023):$78,980Projected employment growth (2023–33): 7%Health education specialistMedian annual salary (May 2023):$62,860Projected employment growth (2023–33): 7%Community health workerMedian annual salary (May 2023):$48,200Projected employment growth (2023–33): 13%Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in public health degreeAre graduates of a bachelor's degree in public health in demand?With the healthcare field expected to continue growing, the demand for professionals with a bachelor’s in public health degree is also expected to increase. One of the most in-demand careers for graduates of public health programs is community health worker, with jobs for this role projected to grow by 13% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.How much can you earn with a bachelor's in public health degree?Environmental health specialists — a role you can qualify for with a bachelor's in public health degree — earn a median annual salary of $78,980 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. Another role you can qualify for with a bachelor's in public health degree is community health worker, and these professionals earn a median annual salary of $48,200 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.What is the difference between public health and community degrees?While the subject matter covered with public health and community degrees is quite similar in nature, there are nuanced differences that are most easily seen in the application of the knowledge and skills learned in these programs. Public health jobs tend to deal with larger-scale efforts that may occur on a state, national, or global level. By contrast, community health tends to deal with hyper-localized areas like an individual city or neighborhood.While the goals of both degrees are similar, the skills to achieve these goals will differ slightly due to the size and scope of operations.Skill DevelopmentCareerSocial ScienceShare this articleShare on FacebookShare on XShare on LinkedinShare on Email