10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Hawaii

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Throughout the Aloha State there  are over 100 incredible beaches on Hawaii’s eight major islands, which means there is always somewhere to surf, swim, and fish.

You can even get close to a dormant volcano, Mount Haleakala, while staying or living in this gorgeous island state.

Residents of Hawaii have no problem finding great pastimes and delicious food, incredible nightlife, and tranquil scenery, but one of the missing components of this island paradise may be a university that provides Public Health degrees.

We’ve found two incredible Hawaiian universities with the ability to give their students a unique Hawaiian experience, but if you want to see what other types of schooling is available for Hawaii residents, take a look at our list of 10 best places to study Public Health.

From online to in-person, there is no shortage of wonderful out of state schools that can give you abounding knowledge.

1Hawaii Pacific University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

When you think about Hawaii you probably envision long beaches and tranquil scenery, but Hawaii Pacific University is actually amidst a large metropolitan area.

In fact, the campus is urbanized and a great research facility for students to dedicate their time learning and growing.

At Hawaii Pacific University, thousands of students gain knowledge in over 100 unique Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Students who are interested in science, however, will enjoy the Public Health Bachelors degree that takes about four years to finish.

With a degree from Hawaii Pacific University, graduates of the Public Health program will become an integral part of the public healthcare community.

There are many different types of courses available for students in this program, with a big emphasis on science and sociology.

While studying for your Public Health degree, you will need to keep a 2.0 GPA in courses such as:

  • Drugs and Society
  • Healthcare Systems
  • Research Methods
  • Environmental Health

A few of the outcomes of your courses and knowledge learned at Hawaii Pacific University will include:

  • Communication skills
  • Ability to analyze current public health programs and practices
  • Utilize science research methods
  • Cultural competency

Once you have graduated from this university, you will be on your way to a successful life-long career in roles like:

  • Lactation Consultant
  • Patient Care Coordinator
  • Prevention Specialist
  • Health Programs Director

Currently, Hawaii only offers in-person learning for the Public Health degree.

Enrollment

It is easy and quick to enroll at Hawaii Pacific University, all you’ll need to do is head to the website and create a username.

No matter what type of student you are, you are welcome to apply to this great Hawaiian school.

It should take no more than twenty minutes to fill out the application, but you will want to provide some important information as well, like:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Personal statement

After you have submitted your application, an academic will contact you about the status of your enrollment.

The next step is to schedule a visit to the beautiful island of Hawaii to take a campus tour.

Fees

If you attend Hawaii Pacific University full time, you will pay $32,520 per year.

This adds up to $130,080 upon graduation if you attend a four year program.

Those who want to attend the school part time will pay $1,355 per credit hour.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1 Aloha Tower Dr. Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: 808-544-0200
  • Website: www.hpu.edu


2University of Hawaii-Manoa

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

The next in-state university for Hawaii residents is the University of Hawaii in Mānoa.

This is the largest and oldest of all the universities located in Hawaii, with it’s founding in 1907.

There are over 320 acres of this gorgeous campus, located right out side of Honolulu.

If you plan to study here, you will be amongst about 14,000 other students leading the way toward their degree in various subjects.

One of the many majors available for students at the University of Hawaii in Mānoa is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

The primary focus of this degree is to improve the quality of life among communities.

In order to be eligible for this degree, you will need to have at least a 2.0 GPA and complete the Public Health curriculum as well as electives and general education studies.

A few of the required courses at the University of Hawaii in Mānoa are:

  • Public Health Issues in Hawaii
  • Social Behavioral Health
  • Public Health Principles in Research and Practice
  • Global Health

There is a strong emphasis on health and biology in this curriculum, which is great for people who love science and strive to make not only themselves healthier, but the people around them as well.

Once you have completed all of your required courses and taken on the Capstone project in your senior year, you will be on your way to graduating.

After graduation, alumni of this university have found successful careers among Public Health roles in states all across the United States, including:

  • Health Officer
  • Curriculum Development Specialist
  • Public Health Inspector
  • Environmental Health Educator

Enrollment

No matter what type of student you are, you are welcome to apply to the University of Hawaii in Mānoa.

In order to be considered for attendance here, there are some requirements you must meet as a prospective student:

  • A competitive GPA
  • Top 40% high school class rank

If you reach all of the above criteria, then consider paying the $70 non-refundable application fee and completing an application.

Along with your application you will need to submit some important paperwork, which includes:

  • High school or previous college transcript
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • SAT or ACT scores

There are deadlines throughout the year, so make sure you don’t miss them.

Fees

Hawaii residents who plan to stay and eat on campus will pay $30,331 per year.

This means that you will end up paying $121,324 in total.

Out of state learners will pay $52,363 per year.

Graduates from other states will end up paying $209,452 upon graduation.

Scholarships, grants, work and study programs, as well as financial aid are all available for qualified students.

Contact Information


3Walden University

Programs Offered:
Online
Out-of-State

While there are only a couple on-campus schools available in Hawaii, there are some great online options elsewhere in the United States.

Walden University has been around since 1970 and has helped people from all across the United States earn their degree in various departments.

This 100% virtual format is perfect for Hawaii residents who would rather not travel to another state to study for their preferred program.

You’ll love this one because the Public Health program is informative, diverse, and accredited.

This means you won’t miss out on a great education even with no brick and mortar buildings to head to.

Along the way in your studies, you will gain knowledge through discussion and classroom time learning in courses like:

  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Human Disease and Prevention
  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare
  • Public and Global Health

Walden University does not require students to take part in an internship, but there is a Capstone project due your senior year which will help you understand and define ways to combat global health issues.

After completing all of the necessary coursework, you will be on your way to graduating and running toward a career which could include:

  • Youth Program Specialist
  • Integrative Health Practitioner
  • Health Media Director
  • Education Director

Enrollment

The first thing that you will want to do when applying at Walden University is to contact an academic advisor.

They will be able to guide you to exactly what you want from this university, and help you streamline the application process.

After you have spoken with an academic advisor and learned how to apply, you will need to submit your transcripts from high school or previous education as well as any employment history.

Credit transferring is available for students who have experience at other universities.

You may also get credits for work experience if you have worked in a relevant field.

Once you have submitted your application it may take about a week to hear back about your acceptance status.

Fees

There are many great options for tuition costs at Walden University.

Some programs have accelerated rates which will only take about two years to finish.

These programs typically cost $22,330 while the four year programs cost $46,175.

There are scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities available for qualified students.

Since this is an online school, students don’t have to worry about paying for room and board, which means saving money on tuition.

Contact Information

  • Address: 7080 Samuel Morse Dr. Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21046
  • Phone: 866-492-5336
  • Website: www.waldenu.edu

4Johnson and Wales University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

Johnson and Wales University provides both online and on-campus options for residents of Hawaii.

Though this school is located in Rhode Island, all the way on the other side of the continental United States, you can choose to head there to learn or stay right at home with their 100% virtual degree program.

This private school has been in business for over 100 years, and thousands of graduates have found success in the career of their dreams with a degree from here.

You could be among them with a Bachelors degree in Public Health.

The Public Health degree here allows students to make healthcare accessible to a variety of communities and learn how to implement programs to keep people safe.

Whether you choose to attend online or in-person, the school provides evidence-based learning in courses such as:

  • Mindfulness for Health and Well-being
  • Comparative Healthcare Systems
  • Introduction to Health Professions
  • Data and Evidence in Health

There are so many things you can do with a degree from Johnson and Wales University.

Several of the great life-long careers that alumni of this school have achieved are:

  • Infectious Disease Analyst
  • Disease Ecologist
  • Health Journalist
  • Health Education Programmer

Enrollment

It is fairly simple to apply to Johnson and Wales University.

The first thing that you will want to do is head over to the website and fill out an application.

In order to finish up your application, you will need to provide some important information to the school:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Resume

Students are required to have at least 2 years of relevant job experience to be accepted at this university, and a resume is required to be submitted with your application.

There are no late fees as the school has classes that start year round.

Fees

Students will pay $39,792 per year to attend full time.

When you add housing, books, and room and board, this number will go up, speak to an academic advisor about the costs of additional amenities.

Since it takes four years to finish a Bachelors degree, the average graduate of Johnson and Wales University pays $159,168.

Contact Information

  • Address: 8 Abbot Park Place Providence, RI 02903
  • Phone: 800-342-5598
  • Website: www.jwu.edu

5South University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

You will find campuses for South University across the United States, but one of the great things about this school is that there is an online degree program.

This is perfect for Hawaii residents who would rather stay on their home island than head across the continental U.S. to earn a degree.

If you plan to enroll in a Public Health degree program, consider the one offered here, which is personalized and practical, giving each student exactly what they need to succeed.

Small class sizes and innovative curriculum provide students with knowledge that transcends Public Health, like courses including:

  • Health Communication
  • Health Disparities
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Policy and Research

There is no way you won’t gain all the knowledge you need to secure a life-long role in Public Health with a degree from South University.

Each class is designed to give students full knowledge of the healthcare system and how to implement programs to encourage a health community.

After graduating, you’ll be able to find roles in healthcare and government agencies like:

  • Patient Education Director
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Cancer Information Specialist
  • Public Health Inspector

Enrollment

It is easy to enroll at South University, and there are many campuses across the United States to make it even simpler.

There are two ways to apply to South University, first you can call the school and have an academic advisor talk to you through the steps or you can fill out an application on the website.

If you fill out the application online, an academic advisor will call you or email you to set up the next steps in the process.

Once you have done that, a financial advisor will also get in touch with you to speak about ways to pay for school.

Fees

It costs about $28,763 per year to attend South University.

With a four year degree, the total amount of tuition for a graduate of South University comes out to $115,052.

Students who do not want to take part in room and board at their campus will pay $21,656 per year for a grand total of $86,624 after four years.

Grants, scholarships, and financial aid are all available for students of South University.

Contact Information


6University of Cincinnati

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

The University of Cincinnati in Ohio has a huge campus, which is considered number four among universities for co-ops and internships.

There are over 48,000 students enrolled here at one time, which gives you an idea of how big the school actually is.

If this sounds like the type of campus you’d like to be involved in, there are spaces for Hawaii residents to enroll all the time.

However, if you don’t want to attend a large city campus like the one at the University of Cincinnati, you can also earn your degree online.

No matter which you choose, you will find a comprehensive Public Health Bachelors degree program that can lead you toward the career of your dreams.

This four year program is a great fit for health conscious people who live science and researching new ways to expand their horizons.

While attending the University of Cincinnati, either online or in-person, you’ll take part in courses like:

  • Communicating About Health, Environment and Science
  • First Year Foundations in Public Health
  • Health Across the Lifespan
  • Research Methods in Health Sciences

One of the unique opportunities offered at this university is the chance to join the Global Health Brigade, which is a great way for students to increase the quality of life for rural populations around the world.

If this sounds like something that you would like to be involved in, you’ll need to keep good grades and qualify for the program.

Graduation is the next step on the list, and then you’ll be able to secure a role in a variety of careers, which could include:

  • Grant Writer
  • Accreditation Coordinator
  • Health Information Specialist
  • Epidemiologist

Enrollment

Transfer students, international students, homeschool graduates, and first year freshman are all invited to apply to the University of Cincinnati.

The first thing that you will want to do when looking into enrolling at the University of Cincinnati is talk to an academic advisor.

They can lead you down the right path for your degree program and also give you a campus tour so that you can be assured you are going to the school of your dreams.

In order to complete your application, you’ll want to head to the website and begin filling out your personal information.

A non-refundable $50 application fee is required at the time of submitting.

Along with that, you’ll want to provide some important paperwork, like:

  • Official high school transcripts or transcripts from previous education if you are transferring
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Letter of recommendation

It will take about two weeks to hear back on whether you have been admitted or not, and once you have you’ll get to enroll in the right classes for your degree.

Fees

Full-time Ohio residents pay $13,176 per year to attend the University of Cincinnati.

This comes out to about $52,704 after earning a Bachelors degree.

Online students will pay a little more at $13,536 per year, for a total of $54,144 upon graduation.

Those who attend the University of Cincinnati from out of state will pay $28,510 per year.

This adds up to $114,040 after four years and completing your Bachelors degree.

Residents of Indiana or Kentucky will pay a price of $13,776 per year to attend for a total of $55,104 after a four year program.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2600 Clifton Ave. Cincinatti, OH 45221
  • Phone: 513-556-0000
  • Website: www.uc.edu

7Southern New Hampshire University

Programs Offered:
Online
Out-of-State

Another private online school that serves students from all of the 50 states is Southern New Hampshire University.

Even though the headquarters are located in New Hampshire, you can stay home in Hawaii to learn because there are no physical classes to attend.

This 100% online program is great for people from Hawaii because you can continue to live your life while studying at no extra cost.

Southern New Hampshire University is considered one of the most innovative online degree programs in the United States.

You can be a part of this great education system with the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

Within this four year program, you can fulfill your dreams of working in the healthcare community.

There are many classes you’ll need to take in order to graduate, which will include science and health based courses like:

  • Statistics for Healthcare Professionals
  • Population Health and Cultural Competence
  • Evaluation Methods in Public Health
  • Biological Concepts for Public Health

A unique part of your time at Southern New Hampshire University is that you will need to take on an internship in order to fulfill all of your graduation requirements.

This means you can work with a local healthcare facility or government office in order to gain hands-on experience in the field.

After you have completed 120 credit hours and your internship requirements, you will graduate from Southern New Hampshire University with ease, guiding yourself into a career like:

  • Medical Services Manager
  • Health Education Specialist
  • Community Health Worker
  • Youth Outreach Coordinator

Enrollment

There is no application fee to apply to Southern New Hampshire University.

All prospective students need to do is head over to the website and find the admissions tab.

Once there, you can fill out the application which is quick and easy to do.

Along with your application, you will need to submit the following information:

  • Transcripts from previous education or high school
  • Proof of GED if applicable

The great thing about Southern New Hampshire University is that students can choose their own start date and there are no late application fees.

Fees

It costs $330 per credit hour to attend this school, and annually that comes out to about $9,900 for full time students.

Military students pay a reduced fee of $231 per credit hour for a yearly cost of $6,930.

At Southern New Hampshire State University the average Bachelors degree takes four years to complete, which means tuition can range from $27,720 for military student to $39,600 for civilian students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2500 North River Rd. Manchester, NH 03016
  • Phone: 800-915-7648
  • Website: www.snhu.edu

8Santa Clara University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

A little closer to home is Santa Clara University in California with their in-person Bachelors degree program.

This Jesuit university is a great place to learn for all types of people, even if you are not Jewish.

While this is a smaller school than ones previously mentioned, it is a great place to earn your degree, even for Hawaii residents.

There are over 50 great educational programs to partake in at Santa Clara University, including the Public Health Bachelors degree.

You’ll love the solid foundation in biology, sociology, and chemistry that you will gain at this school, in classes like:

  • Epidemiology
  • Evidence Based Public Health
  • Women’s Health
  • Health, Disease, and Culture

If you plan to graduate, you will need to take on an internship with a local agency, or even one from the government.

Either one you choose will guide you to new heights and give you hands-on knowledge that only field work can provide.

After graduating, which will take about four years, you can expect to gain access to roles in healthcare including:

  • Public Health Inspector
  • Health Education Director
  • Cultural Competency Trainer
  • Curriculum Development Specialist

Enrollment

Santa Clara University invites all people to attend their great school, from first year freshman to transfer students and beyond.

Head over to the website to fill out the easy and compact application and once you have completed it, please submit $70 as a non-refundable application fee.

Once you are there, you will notice that you will need to also submit some criteria in order to have a complete application, like:

  • Official high school transcripts
  • Academic teacher evaluation
  • Secondary school report
  • Mid-year report

Transfer students will be required to send in their transcripts from previous universities.

After completing the application, students are emailed a personal ID and password in order to check the status of their enrollment.

International students are required to take the English Proficiency exam and mail in their results before they will be accepted to the school.

Fees

Tuition for on-campus undergraduate students per year is $77,208.

After four years, the total amount of tuition, which includes room and board, for on-campus students is $308,832.

For those who choose to life off campus, the annual tuition is $59,241.

Once you have graduated from Santa Clara University, you will end up paying $236,964.

Other expenses that may apply yearly are:

  • Books – $900
  • Transportation – $1,900
  • Personal expenses – $4,000

Contact Information

  • Address: 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
  • Phone: 408-554-4000
  • Website: www.scu.edu

9California State University-San Bernardino

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

You will find one of the best values in tuition at California State University in San Bernardino.

This, as well as the comprehensive curriculum, is why we have included it on the list for Hawaii residents.

Prospective students of California State University in San Bernardino will love the multitude of activities, extracurriculars and programs available at this large campus.

Currently, the school provides on-campus learning for Public Health majors, but maybe one day you’ll be able to stay home in Hawaii and study Public Health here.

This shouldn’t stop you from considering this great school, especially because it is accredited with the Council on Education for Public Health.

With a four year degree from this university, students are prepared to gain employment in public healthcare facilities as well as government and international organizations.

Among the classes you’ll find it important to the students at this school to take on field work and opportunities beyond the four walls of the school.

Once you have completed the curriculum and learned all you can through hands-on experience, it is safe to bet that you will find a great life-long career in roles like:

  • Health Program Analyst
  • Public Health Inspector
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Medical Research Manager

Enrollment

If you are interested in studying at California State University in San Bernardino, consider taking on a campus tour before committing to the school.

This way, you can get comfortable with your surroundings and ensure that you are ready to attend this school.

Once you have decided, head over to the website to fill out the easy application.

There is a $70 non-refundable application fee for all applications submitted to this school.

Some students may even want to request a pre-application appointment with an academic advisor to help walk them through the process.

There are some pieces of information you’ll need to attach to your application, such as:

  • Official transcripts
  • Social security number
  • Citizenship status
  • Annual income
  • ACT or SAT test scores

Once you have submitted all of your information an academic advisor will get in contact with you about which classes you will need to enroll in in order to get you on your way to a great career.

Fees

It costs $11,484 per year to attend California State University in San Bernardino.

After four years, this comes out to $45,936.

Students who are interested in room and board will need to contact the campus to talk about those options with an academic advisor.

There are financial aid and scholarship opportunities available for qualified students of this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 5500 University Pkwy. San Bernardino, CA 92407
  • Phone: 909-537-5000
  • Website: www.csusb.edu

10Arizona State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online
Out-of-State

Arizona may be a bit farther away than California, but it’s on the list because this school produces the most elite scholars and has for over a decade.

Arizona State University is recognized as the top innovative school in the United States as well.

If these aren’t reason enough to consider Arizona State University, then you’ll love the fact that you can enroll in both online and on-campus courses here.

This means that students who are interested in Public Health from Hawaii can still be among those top scholars while living in their home state.

If you love science and helping your community, then consider taking some of these required classes while studying for your Bachelors degree;

  • Optimizing Your Health and Performance
  • Foundations of Health Promotion
  • Biostatistics
  • Applied Medical/Health Care Ethics

Arizona State University also provides opportunities for students to study abroad.

There are a variety of reasons to consider this school, and once you graduate you will be among the alumni who have found success in careers such as:

  • Community Health Worker
  • Occupational Health Specialist
  • Public Health Educator
  • Sanitarian

Enrollment

You will love the easy enrollment and application process at Arizona State University.

There are both online and on-campus options available for all types of students, including first year freshman, transfer, and international learners.

The application can be found on the school’s website and should take about 30 minutes to complete.

If you want to apply to Arizona State University, you must meet the following requirementst:

  • Be in the top 25% of your graduation class or;
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA or;
  • Provide an SAT or ACT score of 1120 and 22 respectively

Arizona residents will pay $50 for their application fee, while out of staters will pay $80, online students will pay $70.

Along with your application fee you will need to provide the following information:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Proof of college credits for transfer students

Once you have filled out your application, it should take about two weeks to hear back from an academic advisor about the rest of the enrollment process.

Fees

It costs Arizona residents $12,698 per year to attend Arizona State University.

Eligible students can sign up for lower cost or free tuition programs as well, just speak to an academic advisor to see what the options are.

People who want to attend this school from out of state will pay $32,442 per year.

It takes around four years to complete a Bachelors degree, so Arizona residents will end up paying $50,792 for their education.

Those who attend school online or are from out of state will pay $129,798 after graduation.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students, and military students receive a discount as well.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1151 South Forest Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281
  • Phone: 855-278-5080
  • Website: www.asu.edu

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve provided you with many options for your educational journey, we are sure there is something here that will spark your interest.

Even if you have to head out of state, you may find some incredible opportunities while studying for your Public Health Bachelors degree.

Hawaii residents will love the multitude of options provide in this list.

Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at BecomeopediaHi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.