New Jersey · Verified September 2026
MPH Programs in New Jersey
Where Can You Earn an MPH in New Jersey?
5 schools in New Jersey offer 8 MPH programs we verified, including Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, Montclair State University and Rutgers University-New Brunswick. 4 can be taken online. Published tuition runs from $750 to $1,406 per credit.
New Jersey Licenses Its Local Public Health Leaders
New Jersey treats local public health leadership as a licensed profession. The Department of Health’s Division of Local Public Health requires a state license for anyone employed as a health officer or a registered environmental health specialist (REHS) in a local health department. It also enforces the state’s practice standards for local boards of health (N.J.A.C. 8:52) and evaluates how local departments perform.
The health officer is the chief executive of a local health department, and the licensing rule (N.J.A.C. 8:7) spells out how to qualify. One route is a master’s or doctorate in a health-related field such as public health, with at least three credits each in planning, administration, environmental science, social science, biostatistics and epidemiology, plus two years of full-time administrative experience in local public health. The exam runs twice a year, in June and December; for 2026 the dates are June 2 and December 1, and the application fee is $50.
The REHS license is the inspector’s credential. It needs a bachelor’s degree with at least 32 science and math credits, a course in environment and public health equivalent to the one Rutgers offers, and approved field training. If you’re heading for environmental health, the environmental health specialist career guide covers the national picture.
The practical takeaway: if you want to run a local health department in New Jersey someday, choose an MPH whose required courses cover all six of those subject areas, and plan on real administrative experience after you graduate.
New Jersey MPH Schools Compared
5 schools in New Jersey offer an MPH or a related public health master's degree. 4 are on the CEPH accredited list.
| School | MPH programs | Formats | CEPH | Lowest per credit | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick · Public | 3 + 4 | Campus, Online | Accredited | $1,126 | 42–45 |
| The College of New JerseyEwing · Public | 2 | Hybrid, Online | Accredited | $971 | 45 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Applicant | $750 | |
| Montclair State UniversityMontclair · Public | 1 | Campus | Accredited | $962 | 42 |
| William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne · Public | 1 | Online | Accredited | 42 |
"+" counts related public health master's degrees (MS, MSPH, MHS). Per-credit rates as each school publishes them, reviewed September 2026.
12 programs in New Jersey
- MPH
Master of Public Health (In-Person) at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickOn campusGRE optionalSOPHAS14 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $1,126/cr
CEPH - MPH
Online Master of Public Health at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS4 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $1,406/cr
- Length
- 5 sem
CEPH - MPH
MPH Option for Clinicians at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickSOPHAS- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $1,126/cr
CEPH MS in Biostatistics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickSOPHAS- Credits
- 30
- Tuition
- $1,126/cr
CEPHMS in Epidemiology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickSOPHAS- Credits
- 36
- Tuition
- $1,126/cr
CEPHMS in Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickCEPHMS in Sustainability and Health at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New BrunswickCEPH- MPH
Master of Public Health at Montclair State University
Montclair State University · MontclairOn campusGRE waivable2 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $962/cr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Online) at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
OnlineNo GREAccelerated- Tuition
- $750/cr
- Length
- 12 mo
CEPH applicant - MPH
Master of Public Health at the College of New Jersey
The College of New Jersey · EwingHybridNo GRESOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $971/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Online), Global Health at the College of New Jersey
The College of New Jersey · EwingOnlineNo GRESOPHAS- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $971/cr
CEPH - MPH
- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $26,132 total
- Length
- 14 mo
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 New Jersey
6 New Jersey MPH programs publish both a per-credit rate and the credits you need, so you can estimate tuition before fees. Estimates run from $40,404 to $63,270. The median published rate in New Jersey is $971 per credit, against $842 for the 213 MPH programs nationwide that publish one.
| Program | Per credit | Credits | Estimated tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair State University: Master of Public HealthMaster of Public Health | $962 | 42 | $40,404 |
| The College of New Jersey: Master of Public HealthMaster of Public Health | $971 | 45 | $43,717 |
| The College of New Jersey: Master of Public Health (Online), Global HealthMaster of Public Health (Online), Global Health | $971 | 45 | $43,717 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick: MPH Option for CliniciansMPH Option for Clinicians | $1,126 | 42 | $47,292 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick: Master of Public Health (in-person)Master of Public Health (in-person) | $1,126 | 45 | $50,670 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick: Online Master of Public HealthOnline Master of Public Health | $1,406 | 45 | $63,270 |
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 New Jersey
By public health master's degrees awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Rutgers University-New Brunswick has New Jersey's largest program, followed by Montclair State University and Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus. 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 |
|---|---|
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 458 |
| Montclair State University | 54 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | 26 |
| The College of New Jersey | 14 |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | 10 |
Public Health Pay in New Jersey
Among the public health jobs an MPH leads to, medical and health services managers earn the highest median pay in New Jersey, $145,650. Epidemiologists earn a median $109,760 (26% above u.s.), 4th of 43 states with a published figure, across 290 jobs.
| Job | Median | vs U.S. median | State rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologists | $109,760 | 26% above U.S. | 4th of 43 | 290 |
| Statisticians (including biostatisticians) | $118,280 | 12% above U.S. | 6th of 46 | 880 |
| Health education specialists | $73,740 | 15% above U.S. | 12th of 53 | 1,420 |
| Community health workers | $55,790 | 8% above U.S. | 11th of 52 | 1,330 |
| Occupational health and safety specialists | $90,610 | 1% above U.S. | 22nd of 53 | 3,830 |
| Health information technologists and medical registrars | $61,940 | 9% below U.S. | 32nd of 51 | 1,680 |
| Medical and health services managers | $145,650 | 18% above U.S. | 4th of 54 | 16,900 |
Annual wages in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey Residents
You aren't limited to schools in New Jersey: 254 online MPH programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm on the school's site that it can enroll New Jersey 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.
Choosing Among New Jersey’s MPH Programs
Rutgers is the flagship. Its School of Public Health awarded 458 public health master’s degrees in 2022-23 (IPEDS), far more than any other New Jersey school. The in-person MPH is 45 credits with 12 concentrations, from biostatistics and epidemiology to LGBTQ health, population mental health, occupational safety and health and public health nutrition. There’s a separate online MPH and a 42-credit MPH Option for Clinicians. Rutgers uses SOPHAS and makes the GRE optional. Choose it if you want the widest menu of concentrations, dual degrees and research.
Montclair State and The College of New Jersey are the mid-sized public options. Montclair’s MPH is 42 credits on campus, with health education and health systems tracks; you apply directly and can waive the GRE. TCNJ’s MPH is a 45-credit hybrid program with epidemiology and health analytics, global health, or health communication, plus a fully online global health version. TCNJ needs no GRE and uses SOPHAS.
William Paterson is built for speed. Its 100% online MPH runs seven-week courses with six start dates a year and can be finished in as few as 14 months.
Fairleigh Dickinson is still in CEPH’s applicant stage. Its online MPH can be done in as little as 12 months at $750 per credit, but applicant status isn’t accreditation. The CEPH accreditation guide explains why that matters.
In-State and Out-of-State Tuition
Residency matters most at Rutgers. The campus MPH costs $1,126 per credit for New Jersey residents and $1,685 per credit for out-of-state students, plus a $450 per semester general service fee. The online MPH is $1,406 per credit plus an $84 per credit fee.
The state universities are simpler. Montclair State charges $962 per credit plus $37.02 per credit in fees at its general master’s rate, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. TCNJ’s graduate schedules list $971.48 per credit for both. William Paterson’s online MPH comes to $26,132.40 in total tuition with fees included. So if you live outside New Jersey, Montclair, TCNJ and William Paterson cost you the same as a resident, while Rutgers doesn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Need a License to Be a Health Officer in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires a state license for health officers and registered environmental health specialists employed by local health departments. The Division of Local Public Health gives the licensing exam twice a year, in June and December, with a $50 application fee.
Does an MPH Qualify You for the New Jersey Health Officer Exam?
It's one route. The licensing rule accepts a master's or doctoral degree in a health-related field such as public health, with at least three credits each in planning, administration, environmental science, social science, biostatistics and epidemiology, plus two years of full-time administrative experience in local public health activities.
What Is the Most Affordable Online MPH in New Jersey?
William Paterson University's fully online MPH lists $622.20 per credit and $26,132.40 in total program tuition with fees included, for 42 credits. Courses run seven weeks, with six start dates a year, and you can finish in as few as 14 months.
How Many MPH Programs Are in New Jersey?
We verified 8 MPH programs and 4 related public health master's degrees at 5 schools in New Jersey; 4 of those schools are CEPH accredited.
Which New Jersey Schools Have CEPH-Accredited Public Health Programs?
Montclair State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, The College of New Jersey and William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Can New Jersey Residents Earn an MPH Online?
Yes. Beyond New Jersey's own programs, 254 online MPH programs at schools in other states are open to students nationwide; check each program's state authorization for New Jersey residents. Online MPH programs.
How Much Do Epidemiologists and Public Health Workers Earn in New Jersey?
Epidemiologists: median $109,760; Statisticians (including biostatisticians): median $118,280; Health education specialists: median $73,740 (BLS, May 2025).
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program pages of the 5 New Jersey schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Council on Education for Public Health, accredited schools and programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025