10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Oregon

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You might not see a more diverse landscape in the entire United States than in Oregon, with its mountainous regions, gorgeous lush forests, deep valleys, and acres of plains.

Along with natural beauty, the cities in Oregon are nothing to scoff at, with thousands of old world style buildings and historical monuments to view at your leisure.

There are just so many things to love about Oregon, and one of those things is the education you can find here.

Whether you plan to stay in Oregon and study at one of the many great schools that offer Public Health Bachelors degrees online and in-person or would rather escape to a far off state to discover yourself, there is something for everyone in this list.

Take a look at the ten best schools for Oregon residents who want to pursue a degree in Public Health, we are sure you won’t be disappointed.

1Linfield University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

Students at this Baptist college are all about change and heading in the right direction.

Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon is is a private school that has the heart of its students at the forefront of education.

Though this is a Baptist school, you don’t need to be a part of that faith, or any faith for that matter, to take part in the education here.

Students from all across the world come here to take part in the gorgeous campus and stunning forest scenery that surrounds this Northwestern United States style school.

Among the over 100 programs available at the Bachelors degree level is the Public Health degree.

As a student in a Public Health Bachelors degree program given by Linfield University, you will learn:

  • How to conduct research and apply your findings in practice
  • To discover health disparities and design programs to help alleviate them
  • How to assess community needs
  • Communication for health promotion

Along with labs and field work, students will partake in courses such as:

  • Prevention and Control of Diseases
  • Public and Community Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology

Most courses are based in science and are accredited within the state of Oregon for accuracy and relevancy.

After four years, students will be eligible for graduation where they will be a part of the solution in careers that include:

  • School Health Educator
  • Cancer Information Specialist
  • Public Health Officer
  • Healthcare Administrator

Enrollment

You’ll want to head over to the school’s website to apply at Linfield University.

Once there, you will see options for undergraduate and graduate level applications.

The undergraduate application is what you should seek, especially if you are looking to earn a Bachelors degree.

This application can be done online and is easy to fill out.

Along with your application, it is required that you submit some other information so that your application is complete:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Personal essay
  • Letter of recommendation
  • ACT or SAT test scores

First year freshman, transfer students, and international students are welcome to apply here.

International students will need to submit an English Proficiency exam score along with their application.

An academic advisor will contact you once you have completed your application to talk about the next steps in the process.

It may take a week or two to hear back on the status of your application.

Fees

To attend Linfield University, students will pay $48,680 per year.

This adds up to $194,720 after four years of education.

With room and board, books, and other materials added, that price goes up to $67,390 annually.

Considering all of the extra amenities, graduates will pay $269,560 after graduation.

An online education from Linfield University can cost $17,820 per year.

This totals out to be about $71,280 for students who earn a degree online.

Contact Information

  • Address: 900 SE Baker St. McMinnville, OR 97128
  • Phone: 503-883-2200
  • Website: www.linfield.edu

2Portland State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online

The diverse and inclusive campus at Portland State University will pull you in and the comprehensive education will keep you coming back.

This four year institution has been around since the early 1940’s and it looks as if the learning here won’t stop any time soon.

Especially with the addition of online programs throughout the many majors and minors available at both the Bachelors and Masters levels.

With a 98% acceptance rate, you could likely become part of the Portland State University family where you’ll gain access to forward thinking curriculum.

As a student of the Public Health Bachelors degree program, you will learn how to create, implement, and impact healthcare in rural, underprivileged and necessary communities both in Oregon and around the world.

Each class at Oregon State University has less than twenty students, so you’ll get the individualized attention you need to succeed in all your courses.

A few of the courses that are required will include math and English, but you will also need to take more specialized courses like:

  • Environmental Science
  • Identity and Society
  • Human Development
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

Once you have graduated, head to the school’s Career Center where the staff can help you find an amazing life-long career.

Some of the roles that will open up to you once you have a degree in Public Health will include:

  • Medical Writer
  • Health Inspector
  • Community Health Worker
  • Health Center Administrator

Enrollment

Portland State University has an easy online application that should only take about twenty minutes to complete.

The school does have some requirements for prospective students, these include:

  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Complete English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Arts with at least a C-

If you meet this criteria, then the next step is to fill out your application and submit the $60 non-refundable application fee.

Along with your application, expect to include some important paperwork: 

  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Official high school or previous education transcripts

After submitting your application, check the website to see if you have been admitted or wait a week or two for an academic advisor to contact you about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Residents of Oregon pay $21,612 for full-time classes annually.

This comes out to $86,448 after graduation.

If you live in Washington, you will pay $23,412 per year to attend Portland State University.

Graduates from Washington end up paying $93,648 once they have completed their education.

Prospective students from other states can expect to pay $59,412 annually to attend this school.

Upon graduation, out-of-state learners pay $237,648 to earn a degree.

There are some other expenses that may apply at Portland State University, including:

  • Books – $800
  • Room and Board – $9,600 to $16,500
  • Health Insurance – $1,500

Contact Information

  • Address: 1825 Southwest Broadway Portland, OR 97201
  • Phone: 503-725-3000
  • Website: www.pdx.edu

3Oregon State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Online

Corvallis, Oregon houses the great Oregon State University, which is about 90 minutes from Portland.

Close to the Pacific coast, students love the large college feel in a small town way.

There are over 27,000 students on campus at any given time at Oregon State University, so if you like the idea of being among many classmates, then you’ll definitely enjoy the campus here.

Students who don’t want to take part in a busy campus can also earn their degree online.

Oregon State University is also in the top 1% of colleges in the entire world due to their forward thinking curriculum.

The history, yet state of the art, campus is built throughout the city of Corvallis, and provides over 100 different programs for eager learners.

Along with the typical programs healthcare, science, and math, you’ll find the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Each year, this program becomes more popular and students are interested in learning how to protect their communities from diseases and bad health.

Throughout the four year program, you’ll learn a variety of evidence-based curriculum in courses like:

  • Racism and Health Equity
  • Public Health Data
  • Global Public Health
  • Climate and Health

Along the way, you’ll develop skills to help your communities learn how to take better care of themselves and implement programs so they can do just that.

After graduation from Oregon State University, you will be among successful alumni who have procured careers in roles such as:

  • Water Quality Inspector
  • Contact Tracer
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Biometric Health Screener

Enrollment

Before applying to Oregon State University, faculty and academic advisors suggest taking a campus tour to make sure that the school is right for you.

If you have already envisioned yourself studying at Oregon State University and are ready to complete an application, head to the website.

There, you will find the easy online application which accommodates first year freshman, International students, transfer students, and even non-degree seeking learners.

You will find an application for each of these, so you will need to select which one best suits you.

Creating a username is the next step in the process, and then you will continue by filling out all of your personal information.

It should take a couple of weeks to hear back on the status of your application at Oregon State University.

An academic advisor will typically email you and discuss how to set up classes for your future degree.

Fees

Residents of Oregon will pay $3,610 per year for a total of $14,440 in tuition costs after graduation.

If you are not a resident of Oregon, expect to pay $10,790 per year to attend.

This means that you will pay $43,160 after you have completed a four year program.

Other fees that may apply for this school include:

  • Health services – $204
  • Books – $800

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students at Oregon State University.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1500 Southwest Jefferson Way Corvallis, OR 97331
  • Phone: 541-737-1000
  • Website: www.oregonstate.edu

4Southern New Hampshire University

Programs Offered:
Online
Out-of-State

The first and only 100% online school on our list is with Southern New Hampshire University.

Though the school has New Hampshire in the name, you won’t need to live there in order to participate in the comprehensive education system.

In fact, everything you need from the school, even books, is directly online and can be done right from your home in Oregon.

Education costs are sky-rocketing and that is one of the reasons you may want to pursue an online education, as no need for housing and commuting will provide you the ability to pay less for school.

At Southern New Hampshire University, the courses are taught one at a time, and students are given the ability to communicate with classmates and learn side by side in a variety of courses.

Within the Public Health Bachelors degree program, students are provided science and sociology based courses such as:

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

A unique aspect of Southern New Hampshire University is that even though this is an online program, students are still required to take in-person internships and learn hands-on how to deal with Public Health issues.

You can do so by interning at local business, healthcare facilities, volunteer programs, and even government agencies.

You can even stay right at home in Oregon while you do so.

After completing all of the required education necessary for graduation, you will be on your way to a wonderful career in Public Health that suits you 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

5University of California-Irvine

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

If you want to learn at a top ten school, definitely check out the University of California in Irvine.

It may be a small hike from Oregon, but this diverse campus is perfect for every type of student.

There are currently only in-person programs right now, so you will need to move to California to take part in the education here.

With over 1,500 students in the Public Health program at the University of California in Irvine, you will be among a great group of classmates who will assist each other along the way.

A Bachelors degree should take about four years to complete, and at the University of California in Irvine you’ll need to take several required courses that include science and sociology themes.

A few of the courses that you’ll likely take in order to graduate include:

  • Case Studies in Public Health
  • Organic Chemistry
  • From DNA to Organisms
  • Global Economy

Don’t expect to just sit in a classroom and listen to your professor teach, at this school, students are in labs and research facilities learning first hand how Public Health affects their community.

After successful completion of your required and elective courses, you will be on your way to graduation.

Graduation is a big deal in many people’s lives and once you have a degree from the University of California in Irvine, you will see how many great careers open up for you.

The careers that you can expect in Public Health are necessary for making the world a safer place, and will be roles like:

  • Education Program Manager
  • Community Organizer
  • Health Counselor
  • Health Literacy Program Manager

Enrollment

Those who are interested in undergraduate degrees can begin their journey with the University of California in Irvine by submitting an application on their website.

The application process has deadlines throughout the year so keep checking back on the website to make sure you don’t miss any important dates.

After completing your application you will need to submit a $70 non-refundable application fee as well.

Now, let’s talk about what you need in order to apply.

There are a list of items that are necessary to include with your application, like:

  • High school and previous education transcripts
  • ACT or SAT test scores
  • Annual income proof
  • Social security number
  • Citizenship status

About four weeks after you submit your application you will receive an acknowledgment letter from the school.

You may also check your application status online through the school’s website.

An academic advisor will contact you via email if you have been accepted to the school.

Fees

For residents of California who do not plan to live on campus, the yearly fee to attend the University of California in Irvine is $30,946 which includes books, travel, and other fees.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree here, the total tuition cost is $123,784 upon graduation.

For residents of California who would like to live on campus, the yearly tuition is $40,202.

This comes out to a total of $160,808 after four years of education.

If you are someone who is not a resident of California but would still like to attend the school, you will pay $72,776 per year.

A non-resident will end up paying about $291,104 after graduating from this university.

Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available for qualified students here.

Contact Information

  • Address: 401 East Peltason Dr. Suite 3200 Irvine, CA 92617
  • Phone: 949-824-5011
  • Website: www.uci.edu

6California Polytechnic State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Another comprehensive and forward-thinking California based school is California Polytechnic State University.

As a 6,000 acre campus, this public school has given thousands upon thousands of people the chance to fulfill their dreams since 1901.

Here, there are about 70 majors that students can choose from, and among them is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Oregon residents will need to relocate to California in order to take part in this in-person program, but the campus is so beautiful you won’t want to miss it.

Students will enjoy this four year program for its innovative teaching style and learning how to integrate healthcare into communities that really need it.

Along the way, you’ll take classes that will get you up and moving in labs, field work, and internships like:

  • Drugs in Society
  • Women’s Health Issues
  • Obesity Prevention and Treatment
  • Global Health

In your senior year, it is required to partake in an internship which can be done locally through healthcare organizations or even through government facilities.

This is required to give you hands-on experience before you step out into the world of Public Health after graduation.

Completing all of the requirements at California Polytechnic State University will provide you with a degree and a successful career like:

  • Corporate Trainer
  • Employee Wellness Coordinator
  • HIV/AIDS Research Associate
  • Intervention Researcher

Enrollment

First year freshman, international students, returning learners, and even military students are welcome to apply to this great college.

To submit your application, all you will need to do is head to the website and fill it out right online.

In order to complete your application you will need to submit the following information as well: 

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Household income documents
  • Social security number

There is a $70 non-refundable application fee for this school.

Once you have completed your application and submitted it, an academic advisor will get in contact with you within about two weeks.

Fees

Students living on campus will pay $33,024 per year to attend California Polytechnic State University.

This adds up to $132,096 after four years of education.

If you plan to stay at home or elsewhere you will pay $22,374 per year to attend this school.

On average, after graduation this total comes out to $89,496.

Financial aid, scholarships, and work/study opportunities are a great way to pay for school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
  • Phone: 805-756-1111
  • Website:  www.calpoly.edu

7La Sierra University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Lastly for California is La Sierra University, which is a public school that gives students the chance to work alongside knowledgeable professors who are top in their careers.

This is a small school with only about 1,500 students on campus throughout the year, but the small class sizes and individualized attention is great for people who want to build a hands-on experience.

There are less programs available for Bachelors level students than at a larger school, but La Sierra University still has a wonderful Public Health program that is accredited and forward thinking.

You’ll get the necessary hands-on experience with labs, internships and research opportunities at this small campus, and if you are from Oregon you will need to move to Riverside, California in order to take part in it all.

The Public Health degree is four years long and will give students the opportunity to learn how to help communities not only in California or Oregon, but around the world.

Some of the classes that are necessary for graduation from La Sierra University are:

  • Dimensions in Health
  • Lifestyle Diseases
  • Health and the Global Environment
  • Nutrition Theory and Practice

After you take all of the necessary classes, you will have the skills to understand and implement programs to help communities throughout the world.

Expect to find many great career opportunities to open up for you once you have a degree from La Sierra University, including roles like:

  • Director of Family Health Services
  • Behavioral Research Scientist
  • Vaccine Researcher
  • Disease Ecologist

Enrollment

In order to be considered for admission at La Sierra University, prospective students will need to create an account in order to apply.

Along with your application, it is important to submit the following paperwork:

  • High school transcript
  • GPA of 2.8 or above
  • SAT or ACT scores

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee with all applications submitted on the website.

If you are transferring from another school there is a separate application and you will need to provide proof of any credits earned from previous schools.

Fees

Every year, full time students will pay $33,912.

This comes out to $135,648 after receiving your Bachelors degree.

This does not include housing and meals, which add up to about $11,325 per year.

If you factor in those costs, students will pay $79,212 for their college education.

Scholarships and financial aid are available for this university.

Contact Information

  • Address: 4500 Riverwalk Parkway Riverside, CA 92505
  • Phone: 800-864-5587
  • Website: www.lasierra.edu

8Idaho State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Another incredible out of state school that you’ll need to relocate for is Idaho State University.

Located in Pocatello, Idaho, students from all across the United States have called this school home for many years.

Since its founding in 1901, this public school has housed hundreds of thousands of students, but throughout the year only about 12,000 students roam the campus at one time.

Those who want to take part in the Public Health program will need to move to Idaho in order to partake in this particular education program.

This is because Idaho State University does not provide online classes at this time.

Once you do move, you will see that the courses here are given by experienced professors who have knowledge in the field that they teach.

Along with classroom time, students will be given the chance to research in labs and acquire real life experience through field work.

A few of the classes that you will be expected to take throughout the Public Health program include:

  • Social Problems
  • Leadership and Policy
  • Community and Public Health
  • Health Behavior Change Theory and Application

In order to take part in this program, every student will need to be CPR certified and maintain that for the duration of the four year program.

Once you have completed all of the necessary courses, you will be on your way to a great life-long career in Public Health like:

  • Education Outreach Liaison
  • Health Program Advocate
  • Environmental Health Educator
  • Prevention Program Director

Enrollment

If you are looking to apply to Idaho State University, you can do it easily with their online application form.

There is a $50 non-refundable application fee that you will have to submit along with your application.

In order to be considered for admission at this university, prospective students will need to meet the following criteria: 

  • At least a 2.5 GPA from high school
  • Idaho high school graduates must meet all Idaho Core Requirements

High school or previous university transcripts are also required to be provided along with your application.

If you are a transfer student, you will need to provide proof of at least a 2.0 GPA.

Academic advisors suggest taking a campus tour before enrolling so that you know this school is right for you.

Fees

If you are a resident of Idaho, you will pay $15,686 a year, which includes room and board.

It takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, so the average graduate pays $63,472.

If you choose not to live on campus you will pay $8,758 per year, which comes out to $35,032 once you have completed your degree.

Residents of other states will pay $33,662 per year, and non-residents who don’t live on campus will pay $26,934 per year, including books.

Non-residents who lived on campus will end up paying $134,648 and out-of-state commuters will pay $107,736 in total after graduation.

Contact Information

  • Address: 921 South 8th Ave. Pocatello, ID 83209
  • Phone: 208-282-7880
  • Website: www.isu.edu

9Eastern Washington University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

A northern campus in the beautiful lush forests of Washington might be more your style.

If that is the case, then check out Eastern Washington University located in Cheney, Washington state.

Eastern Washington University will make you feel as though you are part of one big family when faculty and classmates take you under their wing.

One of the biggest selling points, aside from the astute education is the miles of walking trails and gorgeous green campus.

This public university provides hundreds of degree programs for a variety of interests.

For those who want to take part in the Public Health area of healthcare, then you are in luck because this school has a great in-person degree program.

As a resident of Oregon, you will need to move to Washington in order to take part, but the campus is so welcoming you’ll feel like you never left home.

The Public Health degree is four years long, and takes students on a ride through 120 credit hours of science and evidence based education.

The curriculum is based in healthcare, biology, and sociology, and you should expect to take courses that include:

  • Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
  • Environmental Health
  • Cross Cultural Practices in Health
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

Once you have mastered most of your required courses, in your senior year you will be given the advantage of taking part in an internship that lasts about a semester.

This will provide real-world experience through local and government agencies so you have an idea of what you’ll need to do when you get a career after graduation.

Completing a degree from Eastern Washington University is a big deal, and will lead to many open doors in careers such as:

  • Health Promoter
  • Program Evaluator
  • Public Health Researcher
  • Community Health Educator

Enrollment

In order to apply to Eastern Washington University you will need to head to the website and submit a $60 non-refundable application fee.

Along with your personal information in the application, you will need to provide some important paperwork as well, like:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Financial aid information
  • Scholarship information

International students will be required to submit their English Proficiency Exam scores as well as show proof of a passport.

It should take about a week for an academic advisor to get back to you about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Washington residents will receive a discount on tuition at Eastern Washington University.

Washington residents will pay $8,139 per year for a total of $$32,556 after four years of education.

Students who are from other states will pay $25,464 per year.

This will be a total of $101,856 after graduation.

There may be some additional fees that come up yearly for students, like:

  • Book – $800
  • Room and Board – $13,739
  • Technology – $120
  • Health and Wellness – $390

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 526 5th St. Cheney, WA 99004
  • Phone: 509-359-6200
  • Website: www.ewu.edu

10University of Nevada-Las Vegas

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

You may know Las Vegas for its casinos and nightlife, but there is more to this fantastic town than just leisure activity.

In fact, the city has a very interesting and inclusive university by the name of The University of Nevada.

This Las Vegas centralized campus has been around since 1957 and is located right in the heart of the city.

Once of the wonderful aspects of this school is that you can take your learning online, meaning you won’t need to move their from Oregon if you really don’t want to.

However, since there are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas and the surrounding area, you might choose to learn on campus to get a feel for what life in Nevada is like.

Either way you decide to learn, there are an abundance of great programs to choose from at this school, and those who enjoy helping others and have a knack for science will enjoy the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Throughout this four year program, students will learn a variety of skills such as:

  • Ethical decision making related to society
  • Professional foundations in science
  • Research methods
  • Protection and promotion of health in public

Each course here will get you one step closer to the career of your dreams, and you’ll go far in classes like:

  • Multicultural Health
  • Injury Prevention and Control
  • Global Health
  • Stress Management

One big step in the life on a Public Health student is to take on an internship, which is available throughout your senior year.

This will help guide you to real-world experience in Public Health and give you much needed hands-on knowledge.

Now that you’ve seen all that the University of Nevada in Las Vegas has to offer, you will be on your way to graduation and a career in roles such as:

  • Domestic Violence Interventionist
  • Health Promotion Program Director
  • Public Health Planner
  • Disaster Preparedness Planner

Enrollment

Anyone who wants to earn a great education can apply to the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

You can find the application online, but be mindful that there is a $60 non-refundable fee for all applications.

In order to be considered for admission here, prospective students will need to provide proof of the following requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA from high school
  • 1120 SAT score
  • 22 ACT score

It is important to submit the following information along with your application:

  • Transcripts from high school
  • ACT or SAT scores

If you meet all of the above criteria and submit all of the necessary paperwork, then you should hear back within a week or two from an academic advisor about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Nevada residents will pay $9,102 per year to attend this school.

This comes out to a total of $36,408 upon graduation.

For students who attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas from out of state, the annual cost is $25,644.

Graduates from out of state will end up paying $102,576 after completing their Bachelors degree.

There are some additional fees that may apply as well:

  • Books – $1,240
  • Transportation – $2,908

Contact Information

  • Address: 4505 South Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89154
  • Phone: 702-895-3011
  • Website: www.unlv.edu

Final Thoughts

Oregon has some great public institutions to earn a degree, as well as out of state universities that will welcome you with open arms.

Whether you plan to earn your degree online or in-person there is something for you to consider when you look at this list of 10 of the best schools for Public Health in Oregon.

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.