North Dakota · Verified September 2026
MPH Programs in North Dakota
Where Can You Earn an MPH in North Dakota?
2 schools in North Dakota offer 3 MPH programs we verified, including North Dakota State University-Main Campus and University of North Dakota. 3 can be taken online.
Public Health Work in North Dakota
Most public health jobs in North Dakota sit in two places: North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and the state’s local public health units. HHS houses the Public Health Division, whose work spans emergency preparedness and response, laboratory services, immunizations, EMS systems, and tribal health and Indian Health Services partnerships.
Local public health is decentralized. North Dakota has 28 independent local public health units, organized under Century Code chapter 23-35, and the services each one offers vary by location. That structure tends to mean small teams, where an MPH graduate often handles immunization, tobacco prevention and community assessment at once. Plan for breadth over specialization.
HHS also runs low- and no-cost public health training for people working in local units, federally qualified health centers and tribal public health programs, and it opens that training to public health students. It’s a practical way to learn the state’s systems before your practicum.
Pay in the state reflects that small market. Environmental and occupational health specialists earn a median $93,250 across 540 jobs, while biostatisticians hold only 40 jobs in the state. See environmental health specialist careers for what that role involves.
North Dakota MPH Schools Compared
2 schools in North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | Accredited | 42 | |
| University of North DakotaGrand Forks · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | Accredited | 42 |
"+" counts related public health master's degrees (MS, MSPH, MHS). Per-credit rates as each school publishes them, reviewed September 2026.
3 programs in North Dakota
- MPH
Master of Public Health at University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota · Grand ForksOn campusOnlineNo GRESOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health at North Dakota State University-Main Campus
On campusOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS- Credits
- 42
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at North Dakota State University-Main Campus
On campusOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 42
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.
Largest Public Health Programs in North Dakota
By public health master's degrees awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of North Dakota has North Dakota's largest program, followed by North Dakota State University-Main 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 |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | 50 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | 26 |
Public Health Pay in North Dakota
Among the public health jobs an MPH leads to, medical and health services managers earn the highest median pay in North Dakota, $105,170.
| Job | Median | vs U.S. median | State rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statisticians (including biostatisticians) | $75,890 | 28% below U.S. | 42nd of 46 | 40 |
| Health education specialists | $59,650 | 7% below U.S. | 37th of 53 | 200 |
| Community health workers | $59,610 | 15% above U.S. | 3rd of 52 | 90 |
| Occupational health and safety specialists | $93,250 | 3% above U.S. | 18th of 53 | 540 |
| Health information technologists and medical registrars | $81,170 | 19% above U.S. | 8th of 51 | 60 |
| Medical and health services managers | $105,170 | 15% below U.S. | 41st of 54 | 1,220 |
Annual wages in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota Residents
You aren't limited to schools in North Dakota: 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 North Dakota 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.
NDSU or UND: Choosing a North Dakota MPH
Both programs are public, CEPH accredited, 42 credits, and run on campus and online, so format rarely decides it. Focus does. Both also require a SOPHAS application.
NDSU in Fargo suits you if you want epidemiology or community health. NDSU offers a general Master of Public Health and a separate MPH in Epidemiology built around disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and health survey research. The general MPH core includes a One Health course, and its specializations add emphasis areas in maternal and child health or management of infectious diseases. NDSU won’t award practicum credit for past work, so plan for a real placement.
The shared core includes Health Systems & Population Health, Essentials of Epidemiology, Public Health Research Methods, Leadership in Health Systems and Data-Informed Decision Making in Health Systems, and it closes with a 3-credit practicum and a 1-credit integrative learning experience. The remaining 18 credits go to your specialization: Community Health Sciences, with courses such as Integrating Primary Care and Public Health, or Health Systems Leadership, with healthcare finance and strategic planning. You file both SOPHAS and an NDSU Graduate College application, and the GRE is optional.
UND in Grand Forks suits you if you work with tribal communities or want data and management skills. The UND MPH offers three specializations: Health Management & Policy, Indigenous Health, and Population Health Research & Analytics. UND describes its Indigenous Health track as the only fully online Indigenous Health program in the country. The analytics track is STEM-eligible, which matters for international students on F-1 visas. UND also runs an accelerated BS/MPH, a JD/MPH and an MD/MPH. The GRE isn’t required.
By public health master’s degrees awarded in 2022-23, UND awarded 50 and NDSU 26, so expect small cohorts and close contact with faculty at either school.
Paying for an MPH in North Dakota
UND’s pricing rule is the one to know: online MPH students pay the same tuition whatever state they live in, and they never have to come to campus. If you live outside North Dakota, the online format removes the non-resident premium entirely.
On campus, UND sets rates separately for North Dakota residents, Minnesota residents, other U.S. non-residents and international students. Military-affiliated students, including veterans and dependents, get North Dakota resident rates for any on-campus program.
The state’s own loan repayment programs target clinicians, such as physicians, nurses and dentists, rather than public health staff. For other funding, see the MPH scholarships guide, and compare affordable MPH programs nationally before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UND Charge Out-of-State Tuition for Its Online MPH?
No. UND says online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, and online students aren't required to come to campus at any time. On-campus rates differ by residency, with separate rates for North Dakota and Minnesota residents.
Can You Study Indigenous Health in a North Dakota MPH?
Yes. UND's MPH offers an Indigenous Health specialization, which UND describes as the only 100% online Indigenous Health program in the U.S.
How Many Local Public Health Units Does North Dakota Have?
North Dakota has 28 independent local public health units, organized under North Dakota Century Code chapter 23-35. Services such as immunizations, tobacco prevention and blood lead screening vary by unit.
How Many MPH Programs Are in North Dakota?
We verified 3 MPH programs at 2 schools in North Dakota; 2 of those schools are CEPH accredited.
Which North Dakota Schools Have CEPH-Accredited Public Health Programs?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus and University of North Dakota.
Can North Dakota Residents Earn an MPH Online?
Yes. Beyond North Dakota's own programs, 255 online MPH programs at schools in other states are open to students nationwide; check each program's state authorization for North Dakota residents. Online MPH programs.
How Much Do Epidemiologists and Public Health Workers Earn in North Dakota?
Statisticians (including biostatisticians): median $75,890; Health education specialists: median $59,650; Community health workers: median $59,610 (BLS, May 2025).
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program pages of the 2 North Dakota schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Council on Education for Public Health, accredited schools and programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025