Iowa · Verified September 2026
MPH Programs in Iowa
Where Can You Earn an MPH in Iowa?
2 schools in Iowa offer 4 MPH programs we verified, including Des Moines University and University of Iowa. 3 can be taken online.
Who Hires Public Health Graduates in Iowa
Iowa’s public health system is built county by county. Each county has an independent local board of health, and the state health agency, Iowa Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), describes three ways they deliver services: boards employ their own staff in 65 counties, contract with a hospital or health system in 30, and contract with other organizations in 4. That means some public health jobs in Iowa sit inside a hospital system rather than a county office.
These are small shops. Iowa HHS counts 1,306 people working on behalf of local boards of health, and 52 local agencies employ fewer than 10 people. Leadership turns over often: almost two-thirds of agencies have changed administrator in the past six years. For an MPH graduate, that is an opening. Small agencies need people who can run programs, write community health plans and manage budgets, and administrator posts come up regularly.
There is also a mismatch you could build a career on. In their health needs assessments, 93 counties named behavioral health a top need, but only 9 provide behavioral health services. Obesity and chronic disease show similar gaps.
Two other employers are worth knowing. Iowa HHS itself hires statewide; on the state jobs site, filter by agency 400 to see its openings. And the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, the state’s public health and environmental lab since 1904, serves all 99 counties with disease testing, water and air monitoring and newborn screening, which suits epidemiology and environmental health graduates.
Iowa MPH Schools Compared
2 schools in Iowa offer an MPH or a related public health master's degree. 2 are on the CEPH accredited list.
| School | MPH programs | Formats | CEPH | Lowest per credit | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of IowaIowa City · Public | 3 + 6 | Campus, Online | Accredited | ||
| Des Moines UniversityWest Des Moines · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Accredited | $908 | 42 |
"+" counts related public health master's degrees (MS, MSPH, MHS). Per-credit rates as each school publishes them, reviewed September 2026.
10 programs in Iowa
- MPH
Master of Public Health (Departmental Programs of Study) at University of Iowa
University of Iowa · Iowa CityNo GRESOPHAS5 concentrations- Tuition
- $19,675/yr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
MPH for Practicing Professionals (General MPH) at University of Iowa
University of Iowa · Iowa CityOn campusOnlineNo GRESOPHAS- Tuition
- $19,675/yr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPHCEPH
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH- CEPH
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH- Length
- 2 yr
CEPHMS in Health Services and Policy Research at University of Iowa
University of Iowa · Iowa CityAccelerated- Length
- 1 yr
CEPH- MPH
Master of Public Health (Online) at Des Moines University
Des Moines University · West Des MoinesOnlineNo GRESOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $908/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own program pages, reviewed September 2026. Tuition is the school's published figure with its basis; per-credit sorting uses programs that publish a per-credit rate. CEPH status comes from the CEPH accredited list.
What an MPH Costs in Iowa
One Iowa MPH publishes both a per-credit rate and its credits: estimated tuition at Des Moines University is $38,136 before fees.
| Program | Per credit | Credits | Estimated tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines University: Master of Public Health (online)Master of Public Health (online) | $908 | 42 | $38,136 |
Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the published credits, before fees. Public schools usually charge non-residents more. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MPH cost and loan calculator.
Largest Public Health Programs in Iowa
By public health master's degrees awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Iowa has Iowa's largest program, followed by Des Moines University. Size tells you how many classmates, electives and alumni to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | Public health master's awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Iowa | 168 |
| Des Moines University | 60 |
Public Health Pay in Iowa
Among the public health jobs an MPH leads to, medical and health services managers earn the highest median pay in Iowa, $101,940. Epidemiologists earn a median $79,880 (8% below u.s.), 22nd of 43 states with a published figure, across 90 jobs.
| Job | Median | vs U.S. median | State rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologists | $79,880 | 8% below U.S. | 22nd of 43 | 90 |
| Statisticians (including biostatisticians) | $80,150 | 24% below U.S. | 36th of 46 | 250 |
| Health education specialists | $75,750 | 18% above U.S. | 7th of 53 | 540 |
| Community health workers | $47,780 | 8% below U.S. | 39th of 52 | 390 |
| Occupational health and safety specialists | $87,830 | 3% below U.S. | 29th of 53 | 1,310 |
| Health information technologists and medical registrars | $80,600 | 18% above U.S. | 10th of 51 | 270 |
| Medical and health services managers | $101,940 | 18% below U.S. | 47th of 54 | 6,200 |
Annual wages in Iowa, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market, so read pay beside the job count.
Online MPH Options for Iowa Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Iowa: 255 online MPH programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm on the school's site that it can enroll Iowa residents online. These CEPH-accredited online programs have the lowest estimated tuition of any online MPH that publishes a per-credit rate and its credits:
| Program | Per credit | Estimated tuition |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: Master of Public HealthTexas | $287 | $12,915 |
| University of West Florida: Master of Public Health (online)Florida | $386 | $16,206 |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas: Master of Public HealthNevada | $383 | $18,013 |
| Georgia State University: Master of Public HealthGeorgia | $464 | $19,488 |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: Master of Public HealthNew York | $471 | $19,782 |
Compare every option on the online MPH programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
University of Iowa or Des Moines University
Iowa has only two schools with a current MPH, and both are CEPH accredited, so your choice comes down to format and focus.
University of Iowa: Depth and Specialized Tracks
The University of Iowa College of Public Health has held CEPH school accreditation since 2000 and is Iowa’s largest program. Its departmental MPH offers Community and Behavioral Health, Epidemiology, Health Data Science, Occupational and Environmental Health, and Policy, at 42 semester hours (44 for Epidemiology). You apply through SOPHAS, and the GRE isn’t required.
Three other Iowa options suit specific readers:
- Physicians, residents and nurses can take the MPH for Practicing Professionals, with core courses on campus or online and room for electives. The college notes it can support certification by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
- Working adults anywhere can apply to the online MPH, asynchronous with three start dates a year, if they have two years of work experience.
- Farm and rural health specialists can take the MS in Agricultural Safety and Health, which the university says is the only degree of its kind in the country. Many of its students receive tuition support or a stipend, and the application deadline is May 1.
Des Moines University: Fully Online
The Des Moines University MPH is 100% online, requires no GRE and takes SOPHAS applications all year. You choose epidemiology, public health practice, or public health administration and policy. Tuition is $908 per credit hour over 42 credits, and rolling admission means you don’t wait for a fall intake.
What Residency Is Worth at the University of Iowa
For 2025-26, the College of Public Health estimates MPH tuition and fees at $19,675 a year for Iowa residents and $37,994 for nonresidents, based on 9 or more semester hours in fall and spring. Over a two-year MPH, residency is the biggest single factor in your cost.
The college says MPH students should expect to fund themselves, but it offers three routes to cut the bill. Admitted students can self-nominate for MPH Opportunity Awards, with materials due by March 1. Current students become eligible for MPH tuition awards after 9 semester hours, by department nomination. And you can seek a Graduate Research Assistant position once classes begin. The MPH scholarships guide covers outside funding.
Where Iowa’s Public Health Jobs Are
Iowa has about 90 epidemiologist jobs, but 1,310 environmental and occupational health specialists earning a median $87,830 and 6,200 health services managers. If you plan to stay, the University of Iowa’s occupational and environmental health tracks and its policy concentration line up with the bigger job pools. Read the environmental health specialist career guide and compare environmental health MPH programs nationwide, or look at online MPH programs if neither Iowa school fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There an Online MPH at the University of Iowa?
Yes. The College of Public Health runs an asynchronous online MPH with fall, spring or summer starts and flexible pacing, now taking applications for fall 2027. You need a bachelor's degree, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA (petitions are possible) and two years of combined work experience.
Does Des Moines University's MPH Require the GRE?
No. The Des Moines University MPH is 100% online, doesn't require the GRE and takes applications through SOPHAS throughout the year. Tuition is $908 per credit hour, and you choose from epidemiology, public health practice, or public health administration and policy.
Who Runs Local Public Health in Iowa?
Independent county boards of health. According to Iowa HHS, boards employ their own staff in 65 counties, contract with hospitals or health systems in 30 and contract with other entities in 4. Its May 2025 snapshot counts 1,306 people providing services on behalf of a local board of health.
What Is the Only Agricultural Safety and Health Degree in the Country?
The University of Iowa's MS in Agricultural Safety and Health, run by its Department of Occupational and Environmental Health. Courses are in person in Iowa City, and many students receive tuition support or a monthly stipend.
How Many MPH Programs Are in Iowa?
We verified 4 MPH programs and 6 related public health master's degrees at 2 schools in Iowa; 2 of those schools are CEPH accredited.
Which Iowa Schools Have CEPH-Accredited Public Health Programs?
Des Moines University and University of Iowa.
Can Iowa Residents Earn an MPH Online?
Yes. Beyond Iowa's own programs, 255 online MPH programs at schools in other states are open to students nationwide; check each program's state authorization for Iowa residents. Online MPH programs.
How Much Do Epidemiologists and Public Health Workers Earn in Iowa?
Epidemiologists: median $79,880; Statisticians (including biostatisticians): median $80,150; Health education specialists: median $75,750 (BLS, May 2025).
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program pages of the 2 Iowa schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Council on Education for Public Health, accredited schools and programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025