Best institutions to study International Public Health/International Health
A program that focuses on the application of public health specializations, the social and behavioral sciences, and policy and communications methods to the study of health problems in low- and middle-income countries and regions, and prepares individuals to function as professional international health specialists.
64 U.S. institutions graduated 1,359 International Public Health/International Health students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2210, a specialization of Public Health (CIP 51.22), and leads most directly to the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9111).
About International Public Health/International Health programs
A program that focuses on the application of public health specializations, the social and behavioral sciences, and policy and communications methods to the study of health problems in low- and middle-income countries and regions, and prepares individuals to function as professional international health specialists. Includes instruction in health education and promotion, research design and evaluation, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy and management, public nutrition and food security, information systems, program evaluation, medical anthropology, international communication, behavioral sciences, maternal and child health, demography and population policy, and health care finance and economics.
See also: 26.0509 - Infectious Disease and Global Health.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The International Public Health/International Health program focuses on applying public health principles to address health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. It prepares individuals to become professional international health specialists equipped to tackle global health issues through a comprehensive understanding of social sciences, policy, and communication methods.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as health education and promotion, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy, public nutrition, and program evaluation. Core skills developed include critical thinking, effective communication, and active learning strategies.
Credentials awarded
What International Public Health/International Health graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year396 graduates / yr · 8 institutions29%
- Bachelor's degree338 graduates / yr · 21 institutions25%
- Master's degree337 graduates / yr · 26 institutions25%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate233 graduates / yr · 19 institutions17%
- Post-master's certificate27 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice14 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.0%
- Doctor's degree - other1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
International Public Health/International Health completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 481 |
| 2013 | 580 |
| 2014 | 689 |
| 2015 | 673 |
| 2016 | 821 |
| 2017 | 852 |
| 2018 | 814 |
| 2019 | 1,242 |
| 2020 | 1,423 |
| 2021 | 1,454 |
| 2022 | 1,424 |
| 2023 | 1,551 |
| 2024 | 1,374 |
| 2025 | 1,359 |
Top 50 institutions for International Public Health/International Health, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 253 | 90% | — | — |
| 2 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 133 | 86% | — | $39,144 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 121 | 85% | — | $55,809 |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 98 | 94% | $11,888 | $36,540 |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 85 | 92% | $26,873 | $36,300 |
| 6 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 61 | 78% | $36,004 | $39,072 |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 85% | — | $46,016 |
| 8 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 38 | 95% | $22,242 | $50,415 |
| 9 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 84% | $29,789 | $44,809 |
| 10 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 95% | $17,613 | $44,516 |
| 12 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 24 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 13 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 70% | $22,641 | $27,108 |
| 14 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 22 | 65% | — | $37,883 |
| 15 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 54% | — | $42,152 |
| 16 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 97% | $16,260 | $45,921 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 21 | 0% | — | $41,061 |
| 18 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 19 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 18 | — | — | — |
| 20 | DePauw University Greencastle, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 75% | $20,874 | — |
| 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 22 | Denison University Granville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 79% | $23,864 | — |
| 23 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicMaster's | 13 | 38% | — | — |
| 24 | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Tulsa, OKPublicMaster's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 25 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 13 | 65% | — | $37,068 |
| 26 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster's | 11 | 81% | — | — |
| 27 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | — | — | — |
| 28 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 88% | $29,023 | $37,573 |
| 29 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicMaster's | 10 | 61% | — | — |
| 30 | Northeast Ohio Medical University Rootstown, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | — | — | — |
| 31 | Allegheny College Meadville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 73% | $18,524 | $32,328 |
| 32 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 90% | — | $39,534 |
| 33 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | — | — | — |
| 34 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 83% | — | $37,364 |
| 35 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 49% | — | — |
| 36 | Union Adventist University Lincoln, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 52% | $20,543 | — |
| 37 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 7 | 75% | — | $39,164 |
| 38 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 5 | 64% | — | $32,187 |
| 39 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 76% | — | $41,092 |
| 40 | Hope College Holland, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 80% | $21,746 | — |
| 41 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 58% | — | — |
| 42 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 43 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 44 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 82% | — | — |
| 45 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 46 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 47 | Trinity University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 84% | $20,327 | — |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 49% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 68% | — | $40,005 |
| 50 | Bethel University Mishawaka, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 53% | $19,676 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Health field (CIP 51.22) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 28 states
Where International Public Health/International Health graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Health programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Medical and Health Services Managers or Health Education Specialists. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings, offering a median wage of $117,960 for those typically holding a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2210
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Managersprimary SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Education Specialists SOC 21-1091 | $64,070 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in International Public Health/International Health programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
- Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
- Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Health specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Health (CIP 51.22).
- Public HealthCIP 51.220124,565 graduates / yr483 institutions
- Public Health Education and PromotionCIP 51.22073,740 graduates / yr157 institutions
- Community Health and Preventive MedicineCIP 51.22083,507 graduates / yr121 institutions
- Public HealthCIP 51.22992,709 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Health Services AdministrationCIP 51.22112,260 graduates / yr121 institutions
- Environmental HealthCIP 51.22021,306 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Behavioral Aspects of HealthCIP 51.2212751 graduates / yr55 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.2205
Medical Physics 332 graduates / yr37 institutions - Occupational Health and Industrial HygieneCIP 51.2206300 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Maternal and Child HealthCIP 51.2209225 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Patient Safety and Healthcare QualityCIP 51.2213partial data104 graduates / yr9 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Public Health Genetics51.2214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What is the focus of the International Public Health program?+
The program focuses on addressing health problems in low- and middle-income countries through public health specializations.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a bachelor's degree, master's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, active learning, and monitoring.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 23.2% and a median wage of $117,960.
What is the CIP code for International Public Health/International Health?+
International Public Health/International Health is CIP 51.2210 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Health (CIP 51.22). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of public health specializations, the social and behavioral sciences, and policy and communications methods to the study of health problems in low- and middle-income countries and regions, and prepares individuals to function as professional international health specialists. Includes instruction in health education and promotion, research design and evaluation, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy and management, public nutrition and food security, information systems, program evaluation, medical anthropology, international communication, behavioral sciences, maternal and child health, demography and population policy, and health care finance and economics.
How many institutions offer International Public Health/International Health programs?+
64 U.S. institutions reported International Public Health/International Health graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 28 states, awarding 1,359 credentials in the year. That is 3.3% of all Public Health graduates.
How much do International Public Health/International Health graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical and Health Services Managers occupation, which International Public Health/International Health most directly leads to, pays a median of $123,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Health field report median earnings of $39,144 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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