Tennessee · Verified September 2026
MPH Programs in Tennessee
Where Can You Earn an MPH in Tennessee?
8 schools in Tennessee offer 10 MPH programs we verified, including East Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College and Middle Tennessee State University. 7 can be taken online.
How Tennessee’s Public Health System Is Built
If you plan to work in Tennessee government public health, it helps to know that the state runs two systems side by side. The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) directly operates 89 county health departments, most of them rural, through seven regional offices: East, Mid-Cumberland, Northeast, South Central, Southeast, Upper Cumberland and West. Across those counties, TDH runs 99 clinic sites.
The six largest counties work differently. Davidson (Nashville), Shelby (Memphis), Knox (Knoxville), Hamilton (Chattanooga), Madison and Sullivan run metropolitan health departments under local governance. Their directors are appointed jointly by the state health commissioner and the county mayor. So a job in Memphis or Nashville public health is often a county job, while the same role in a rural county is a state job.
At the state level, TDH hires epidemiologists, health educators, environmentalists, nutritionists and community outreach workers, among others. Its outbreak and surveillance work sits in the Communicable and Environmental Disease and Emergency Preparedness division, and its public health laboratories are in Nashville and Knoxville.
Getting a Foot in the Door During Your MPH
TDH’s Academic Health Department is the formal link between the agency and students. Internships run in fall, spring and summer and typically take 200 to 400 hours, worked part time or full time, so you can hold one alongside classes. Some internships are paid, starting in fall 2025.
After graduation, the Public Health Executive Fellowship offers a paid year inside TDH with a base salary of $48,204 and can be extended to a second year. You must have graduated from an accredited public health or health-related program within the previous twelve months. The next application window opens in August 2027.
Tennessee MPH Schools Compared
8 schools in Tennessee offer an MPH or a related public health master's degree. 8 are on the CEPH accredited list.
| School | MPH programs | Formats | CEPH | Lowest per credit | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meharry Medical CollegeNashville · Private nonprofit | 2 | Hybrid, Online | Accredited | $1,626 | 45 |
| The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga · Public | 2 | Online, Hybrid | Accredited | 42 | |
| East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City · Public | 1 | Campus, Online, Hybrid | Accredited | 43 | |
| Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | Accredited | ||
| Tennessee State UniversityNashville · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | Accredited | 42 | |
| The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | Accredited | $744 | 42 |
| University of MemphisMemphis · Public | 1 + 1 | Accredited | 42 | ||
| Vanderbilt UniversityNashville · Private nonprofit | 1 + 1 | Campus | Accredited |
"+" counts related public health master's degrees (MS, MSPH, MHS). Per-credit rates as each school publishes them, reviewed September 2026.
12 programs in Tennessee
- MPH
Master of Public Health at East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University · Johnson CityOn campusOnlineHybridNo GRESOPHAS5 concentrations- Credits
- 43
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University · NashvilleOn campusNo GRESOPHAS3 concentrations- Tuition
- $16,534/term
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH Master of Science in Biostatistics at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University · NashvilleOn campusCEPH- MPH
Master of Public Health at University of Memphis
University of Memphis · MemphisSOPHAS5 concentrations- Credits
- 42
CEPH Master of Science in Biostatistics at University of Memphis
University of Memphis · MemphisOn campusSOPHAS- Credits
- 36
- Length
- 4 sem
CEPH- MPH
Master of Public Health at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · KnoxvilleOn campusOnline5 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $744/cr
- Length
- 30 mo
CEPH - MPH
MPH: Chronic Disease Prevention &Amp; Control at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · ChattanoogaOnlineHybrid- Credits
- 42
CEPH - MPH
MPH: Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · ChattanoogaOnlineHybridCEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health at Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College · NashvilleHybridSOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $1,626/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Accelerated Master of Public Health at Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College · NashvilleOnlineAccelerated- Credits
- 45
- Length
- 12 mo
CEPH - MPH
Public Health, Community Health Concentration, M.P.H. at Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University · MurfreesboroOn campusOnlineCEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health at Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University · NashvilleOn campusOnline2 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.
What an MPH Costs in Tennessee
2 Tennessee MPH programs publish both a per-credit rate and the credits you need, so you can estimate tuition before fees. Estimates run from $31,248 to $73,170. The median published rate in Tennessee is $744 per credit, against $842 for the 213 MPH programs nationwide that publish one.
| Program | Per credit | Credits | Estimated tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: Master of Public HealthMaster of Public Health | $744 | 42 | $31,248 |
| Meharry Medical College: Master of Public HealthMaster of Public Health | $1,626 | 45 | $73,170 |
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 Tennessee
By public health master's degrees awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), East Tennessee State University has Tennessee's largest program, followed by Vanderbilt University and University of Memphis. 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 |
|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University | 156 |
| Vanderbilt University | 134 |
| University of Memphis | 112 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 58 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | 34 |
| Meharry Medical College | 26 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | 22 |
| Tennessee State University | 20 |
Public Health Pay in Tennessee
Among the public health jobs an MPH leads to, medical and health services managers earn the highest median pay in Tennessee, $107,120. Epidemiologists earn a median $97,310 (12% above u.s.), 10th of 43 states with a published figure, across 220 jobs.
| Job | Median | vs U.S. median | State rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologists | $97,310 | 12% above U.S. | 10th of 43 | 220 |
| Statisticians (including biostatisticians) | $98,230 | 7% below U.S. | 23rd of 46 | 530 |
| Health education specialists | $49,630 | 23% below U.S. | 51st of 53 | 490 |
| Community health workers | $42,310 | 18% below U.S. | 49th of 52 | 520 |
| Occupational health and safety specialists | $81,190 | 10% below U.S. | 47th of 53 | 2,690 |
| Health information technologists and medical registrars | $64,560 | 5% below U.S. | 28th of 51 | 580 |
| Medical and health services managers | $107,120 | 14% below U.S. | 37th of 54 | 14,160 |
Annual wages in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Tennessee: 251 online MPH programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm on the school's site that it can enroll Tennessee 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.
Which Tennessee MPH Fits You
All eight schools with an MPH in Tennessee are CEPH accredited, so the choice turns on region, format and price.
East Tennessee, for the largest program. East Tennessee State University in Johnson City awarded 156 public health master’s degrees in 2022-23, the most in the state. Its MPH runs on campus and online, admits in fall and spring, skips the GRE and offers five concentrations, including Public Health Leadership and Policy.
Knoxville, for flexible online study or veterinary public health. UT Knoxville’s MPH is 42 semester credit hours with five concentrations, including Veterinary Public Health and a DVM/MPH with the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Note that most campus concentration courses meet during the day, which makes the online version the working adult’s route.
Nashville, for research or speed. Vanderbilt’s MPH awarded 134 public health master’s degrees in 2022-23 and offers tracks in epidemiology and clinical research, global health and health policy, with full-time tuition of $16,534 per term in year one. Meharry Medical College runs a hybrid MPH and an accelerated online MPH of 45 credits in 12 months, built from eight-week courses with a $45,000 total tuition. Tennessee State University offers a 42-credit MPH on campus and online.
Memphis, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. The University of Memphis MPH requires 42 credit hours, at least 180 hours of fieldwork and a capstone. UT Chattanooga focuses its MPH on chronic disease prevention and control, with a separate nutrition and dietetics track. Middle Tennessee State offers a community health concentration on campus and online.
What Residency Means for Cost
Only two Tennessee MPH programs publish a per-credit rate you can multiply out. UT Knoxville’s online MPH charges $744 per credit hour for residents and $819 for non-residents. Its estimated tuition is $31,248 (published per-credit rate times credits, before fees). Meharry, a private school, charges $1,626 per credit hour for its standard MPH, for estimated tuition of $73,170.
If you’re weighing a faster finish against cost, compare Meharry’s accelerated option with the accelerated MPH programs nationally, and read how long an MPH takes before you commit to a 12-month pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Tennessee Department of Health Take MPH Interns?
Yes, through its Academic Health Department. Internships run in fall, spring and summer terms and typically take 200 to 400 hours, part time or full time. Starting fall 2025 some internships are paid, though not all.
What Is the Tennessee Public Health Executive Fellowship?
A paid one-year fellowship at the Tennessee Department of Health that can be extended for a second year, with a base salary of $48,204. You must graduate from an accredited public health or health-related program within the twelve months before the November start. The 2026-2027 window has closed; the next opens in August 2027.
Is UT Knoxville's Online MPH More Expensive for Out-of-State Students?
Slightly. UT Knoxville's online MPH lists $744 per credit hour for Tennessee residents and $819 per credit hour out-of-state, across 42 semester credit hours.
How Many MPH Programs Are in Tennessee?
We verified 10 MPH programs and 2 related public health master's degrees at 8 schools in Tennessee; 8 of those schools are CEPH accredited.
Which Tennessee Schools Have CEPH-Accredited Public Health Programs?
East Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University.
Can Tennessee Residents Earn an MPH Online?
Yes. Beyond Tennessee's own programs, 251 online MPH programs at schools in other states are open to students nationwide; check each program's state authorization for Tennessee residents. Online MPH programs.
How Much Do Epidemiologists and Public Health Workers Earn in Tennessee?
Epidemiologists: median $97,310; Statisticians (including biostatisticians): median $98,230; Health education specialists: median $49,630 (BLS, May 2025).
Nearby States
- MPH Programs in Alabama6 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Arkansas2 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Georgia16 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Kentucky5 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Missouri6 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Mississippi5 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in North Carolina7 MPH programs
- MPH Programs in Virginia10 MPH programs
- All States
Sources
- Official program pages of the 8 Tennessee schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Council on Education for Public Health, accredited schools and programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025