An associate’s in public health is a good place to start for a number of health-related careers. These include careers in health education, health research and government health programs. While many students who earn this associate’s degree in public health degree use it a stepping stone to help them advance to a bachelor’s degree in public health (or a related major), there are also entry-level positions that the associate’s in public health degree would qualify them for. Community health worker, medical transcriptionist, and health coach are all examples of these positions.
The 10 programs on this list are from a list of schools that that offer an associate’s in public health and have a tuition of less than $9,000 (based on tuition reported to collegenavigator.gov). Those affordable online public health associate’s programs were then ranked according to quality (based on graduation rate and student teacher ratio) to determine the top 10 affordable public health associate’s degree programs.
The top 10 associate degree programs in public health are:
- Northeast Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- Sinclair Community College
- County College of Morris
- Mercer County Community College
- Montgomery County Community College
- Orange County Communtiy College
- CUNY Bronx Community College
- CUNY Queensborough Community College
- Northampton County Area Community College
Most Affordable Public Health Associate’s Degree Programs
10. Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA
Associate of Applied Science in Public Health
Northampton County Area Community College offers an associate’s in public health that can be completed either on campus or entirely online. Students will be provided with all initial coursework needed for a career in the public health field. The first year will combine the basics of both biology and public health, while the second year will include hands-on experience in the field as students learn about the local and global effects of public health initiatives. The 62-credit public health associate’s program ends with a capstone course, giving the students a chance to meet professionals in the field and apply what they have learned.
Tuition: $8,647
9. CUNY Queensborough Community College
Bayside, New York
Associate of Science in Public Health
The public health associate’s degree program at CUNY Queensborough offers an affordable, challenging education experience with courses in biology, statistics, epidemiology, nutrition, general education, and public health education. Students in the program can choose either an AS in public health with developmental placements, or an AS in public health with no developmental placement. Graduates of the 60 credit associate’s in public health program are prepared to either transfer to a 4-year program, or enter the field immediately in an entry-level position.
Tuition: $5,619
8. CUNY Bronx Community College
Bronx, New York
Associate in Science in Public Health
At CUNY Bronx Community College, students can earn an affordable associate’s degree in public health, which prepares them for transfer to a 4-year program. The 60-credit associate’s in public health program aims to fully prepare students for all areas of public health. The curriculum provides introductory-level work essential to both promoting and protecting public health in diverse settings.
Tuition: $4,441
7. Orange County Community College
Newburgh, NY
Associate in Science in Public Health
The AS in public health program at Orange County Community College is designed specifically for students who wish to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in public health or a related field. The associate’s in public health curriculum includes core courses in public health, along with all general education requirements. Students will be exposed to a broad introductory base of healthcare knowledge, as well as a variety of healthcare careers, preparing them complete the program with a clear vision for their career in the field.
Tuition: $4,325
6. Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Associate of Science in Public Health
The 61-credit associate’s in public health program at Montgomery County Community College can be completed by both part-time and full-time students, and students can choose between a mostly online or mostly on-site curriculum. The program provides a solid foundation in public health, preparing students for continuation at a 4-year college or university. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to apply public health principles to health-related issues, analyze how diverse perspectives impact public health, as well as analyze ethical problems in the public health world.
Tuition: $8,083
5. Mercer County Community College
West Windsor, NJ
Associate of Science in Public Health
Mercer County Community College offers a 60-credit associate’s degree in public health program that takes two years to complete. The curriculum exposes students to various contributors to public health – natural sciences, mathematics, ethics, and social sciences. The core classes include a strong emphasis on science and math, along with all general education requirements. MCCC has an articulation agreement with a few local schools, allowing for easy transfer.
Tuition: $6,567
4. County College of Morris
Randolph, New Jersey
Associate of Science in Public Health
The associate’s in public health at County College of Morris is designed for students that wish to transfer upon completion. The 60-credit program can be completed through a variety of methods, including face-to-face in the daytime, evening, or Saturday, as well as online or hybrid. The curriculum provides introductory coursework and the necessary foundations for a career in public health.
Tuition: $7,645
3. Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH
Associate of Applied Science in Public Health
The AAS in public health program at Sinclair Community College provides students with all of the introductory foundations needed for a future in the field. The 60-61 credit hour associate’s in public health program is designed to promote transferability to 4-year bachelor programs within the healthcare field. Students will graduate with the skills needed to address the world’s most pressing issues in the public health community.
Tuition: $4,431
2. Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi
Associate of Arts – Public Health Concentration
Associate of Applied Science in Public Health Technology
Two of the campuses of Itawamba Community College offer affordable associate’s degrees in public health. At the main campus in Fulton, students can choose a public health concentration when earning their AA degree. This program is 60 credit hours, 23-25 of which are program-specific. At the Tupelo campus, students can earn an AAS in public health technology. This degree plan consists of 60 credits, and takes two years to complete.
Tuition: $5,733
1. Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska
Associate of Science in Public Health
Northeast Community College offers the best affordable associate’s degree in public health. The Associate of Science in public health program at NCC is a 60-credit program that includes both general education courses and health-related courses and electives. Northeast Community has an articulated agreement with 3 local schools, allowing for easy transfer to a 4-year college. In addition to the AS degree, NCC also offers an Associate of Arts degree with the option of a public health concentration.
Tuition: $8,447
Related Resources:
