10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in West Virginia

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As the United States third most forest-covered state, West Virginia is a gorgeous landscape that will please your eye while driving through our staying for a while.

Not only that, but West Virginia is known for its tourist attractions like Blackwater Falls State Park, the West Virginia Penitentiary, and the Mothman Museum.

Nicknamed the Mountain State, you better believe this region is full of canyons and ridges but did you also know that you can earn a degree in Public Health while viewing all of these gorgeous sights?

That’s right, West Virginia has some incredible colleges to attend, both in state and out of state, that can lead you toward a fulfilling career in Public Health.

Let’s start with Charles Town where you can find an innovative online education and end in Morgantown with a beautiful campus that has a hidden waterfall or two.

No matter where your path takes you, West Virginia residents have some great choices for colleges near and far.

1American Public University

Programs Offered:
Online

West Virginia hosts one of the best online schools for working adults, American Public University.

Many people want to go to school but fear they can’t because they have an established career or a family to take care of, but American Public University helps with that by providing 100% online education anywhere in the United States.

The headquarters for American Public University are located in Charles Town, West Virginia but you don’t have to visit there in order to take part in the education.

American Public University has many great opportunities in a broad range of programs, and for those who want a degree in healthcare, the Public Health Bachelors degree is a great option.

While studying at this school, students will be able to learn important skills like:

  • How to critically analyze the United States healthcare system
  • Creating efficient healthcare plans
  • How to appraise medical care
  • How to apply organizational designs

Just like your typical Bachelors degree, it takes about four years to complete a degree at American Public University.

Students in the Public Health program will take part in courses that include:

  • Emergency and Disaster Management
  • Public Health Informatics
  • Research, Analysis and Writing
  • Public Health in America

One of the great aspects of starting an education at American Public University is that the classes start year round, and you only have to take one class at a time, so your attention can be on what truly matters.

After graduating from American Public University, you are going to see a wide range of Public Health careers open up to you, which may look like:

  • Diabetes Educator
  • Health Education Director
  • Cultural Competency Trainer
  • Health and Wellness Coordinator

Enrollment

American Public University has an easy and free application that can be found on their website.

Undergraduates who are interested in applying for online classes can do so in as little as twenty minutes.

Along with your application, it is necessary to submit some important information like:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Military affiliation information if applicable

It’s that simple and you will hear back about the status of your application in as little as two days.

Fees

Course credits are only $285 per hour at American Public University, making it one of the most affordable online schools.

It takes 120 hours to complete a Bachelors degree here, so graduates typically end up paying $34,200.

For those with military experience, the cost goes down to $250 per credit hour.

That is a total of $30,000 for four years of education.

Ebooks and application fee are free for this university.

Contact Information

  • Address: 111 West Congress St. Charles Town WV, 25414
  • Phone: 877-755-2787
  • Website: www.apus.edu

2Tennessee State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

If a smaller campus is more your style, check out Tennessee State University located in Nashville.

You may think a big city equals a big campus, but actually only about 5,000 students enroll here each year.

With a campus of only about 500 acres, the small town atmosphere is great for West Virginia students who are apprehensive about moving to a new state to educate themselves.

At Tennessee State University, students can enroll in one of 77 different majors.

Among those, you will find the Public Health Bachelors degree which is currently only available on campus.

This degree is accredited with the Council of Education on Public Health which means everything learned here is up to date and innovative.

The employment rate for Public Health careers is expected to grow over 16% within the next decade, so earning a degree now is a great way to secure a life-long career.

While studying at Tennessee State University, you will take on classes that are steeped in biology and sociology, which includes:

  • Epidemiology
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Global Health
  • Anatomy and Physiology

Government agencies as well as local healthcare organizations are great places to begin a career once you have graduated.

Among those are incredible roles that need to be filled in order to keep the world a safer and better place to live.

You could be one of the many great Public Health career holders who have roles in jobs such as:

  • Hopsital Administrator
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Wellness Programmer
  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Enrollment

The preferred way to submit your application to Tennessee State University is online through the school’s website.

Prospective students will need to pay a $25 application fee once they have submitted their information.

In order to apply, you will need to create a username and password so that you can come back if you need to fill out more information or if you want to check the status of your application.

You will also need to provide the following information along with your application:

  • Citizenship status
  • High school transcripts or previous education transcripts if transferring
  • Immunization records
  • Housing application

After you have completed all of the above criteria it is important to apply for scholarships and also sign up for new student orientation on the website.

An academic advisor will contact you soon after submitting your application and then you can move on to registering for classes.

Fees

In-state tuition is $8,336 per year for residential students, which comes to $33,344 after graduation.

Students from out of state who study full time at this school will pay $21,692 annually.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, this means it costs $86,768 for an out of state student to attend Tennessee State University.

Contact Information

  • Address: 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN 37209
  • Phone: 615-963-5000
  • Website: www.tnstate.edu

3Rivier University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Private schools are popular in New Hampshire and one of the best there is Rivier University.

You will find students from West Virginia and many other states heading to the campus here to be one among the 1,500 students yearly.

There are currently no online courses, so if you are interested in studying here you will need to live on or near campus.

The small-town campus will make you feel right at home, and the educated professors know exactly what they are doing in the fields they teach.

One of the many programs available to Rivier University undergraduates is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

There is a rising needs for Public Health workers in all 50 states, and you can be one of them if you study here.

The comprehensive, world-class education is accredited and requires students to take on courses like:

  • Global Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Social and Public Policy
  • Health Systems and Services

Based in science and real world experience, students get the utmost attention in this four year program.

You will learn how to implement and create solutions to everyday health issues as well as disease outbreaks and much more with a degree from Rivier University.

After graduation, expect many doors to open for you in the world of healthcare in careers such as:

  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • WIC Case Manager
  • Health Program Specialist
  • Department of Health Manager

Enrollment

Before considering enrollment at Rivier University, you should schedule a campus tour to ensure that this is the right school for you.

If you have already decided to attend this school, head over to the website to fill out an application.

There, you will find a simple application process that requires you to create an account.

This way, you will be able to edit and restart your application if necessary.

Along with your personal information, don’t forget to provide transcripts from high school and test scores.

It should take about a half an hour to finish your application, and then once submitted you should hear back from the school in about two weeks.

Fees

The annual cost of base tuition at Rivier University is $36,508.

Room and board are separate, with rates between:

  • Room – $6,875-14,200
  • Dining Plan – $6,532-6,856

Other fees that may apply are:

  • New student – $260
  • Late payment – $250
  • Technology – $258
  • Health Insurance – $200

Contact Information

  • Address: 420 South Main St. Nashua, NH 03060
  • Phone: 603-888-1311
  • Website: www.rivier.edu

4West Virginia University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus

Sticking around West Virginia may be more in the cards for you, and you can do so by attending West Virginia University.

This public school located in Morgantown has over 200 Bachelors degrees to choose from on its 2,000 acre campus.

Lush forests and gorgeous sightseeing surround the campus here, and you may even spot a waterfall or two.

Attending West Virginia University will put you among incredible alumni, 26 of whom have received Rhode scholarships to study at Oxford University.

If that doesn’t get you excited to see what West Virginia University has to offer, then maybe the fact that there is an incredible Public Health Bachelors degree to fulfill the dreams of science-lovers will do the trick.

Studying Public Health at West Virginia University is founded on social justice and the hopes that everyone, no matter where they are in the world, will have access to good healthcare.

Those who want to make a difference in their community can enroll in courses that are built on biology, psychology, and sociology like:

  • Global Perspectives of Public Health
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Public Health Project Management
  • Introduction to Health Policy

Students can even live on campus with other Public Health students to gain even more prospective into what it takes to create a better society.

Research opportunities abound here as well with the Dean’s Ambassadors Program, Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program, and even student led research groups.

You won’t spend most of your time listening to someone else talk at West Virginia University, you’ll be doing and that is what makes for a great Public Health degree holder.

After earning a Bachelors degree from West Virginia University, it is time to look into what you can do for your community with life-long careers that include:

  • Community Health Worker
  • Emergency Management Director
  • Environmental Compliance Inspector
  • Health Education Specialist

Enrollment

First year freshman, transfer, international and returning students are all welcome to head to the website to fill out the easy application to enroll at West Virginia University.

You will need to go to the website to fill out the simple application, and also submit a $50 non-refundable application fee.

Once you have done that, you can either contact an academic advisor to take a campus tour or wait to hear back about the status of your application.

It is advised to take a campus tour at some point before you begin classes.

After you have been admitted to the school, you can enroll in classes and set up orientation to get acquainted with all of the amenities at the school.

Fees

Students who are residents of West Virginia pay $9,384 per year to attend this school while out of state students pay $26,568 per year.

Since it takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the average graduate will pay between $39,336 and $106,272 to attend West Virginia University.

Room and board will be an additional $11,618 per year if you plan to use those amenities.

After four years, room and board could add up to an additional $46,472 in total.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students who attend this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: PO Box 6201 Morgantown, WV 26506
  • Phone: 304-293-0111
  • Website: www.wvu.edu

5Sacred Heart University

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

Sacred Heart University is a Catholic school located in Fairfield, Connecticut, a bit north of West Virginia.

The great thing about this school is that you don’t need to be of the Catholic faith in order to attend.

Students from far and wide head here because of the comprehensive and forward thinking programs available here.

One of the best aspects for people from West Virginia is that you can earn your degree online if you don’t want to move to Connecticut to attend this school.

There are over one hundred different programs to choose from at Sacred Heart University, and those who want to take a chance in the medical field helping communities become healthier will like the Public Health Bachelors degree.

Sacred Heart University provides two ways to earn your Public Health Bachelors degree, first is a four year degree that ends in a Bachelors degree and then there is a five year degree that allows students to earn a Masters degree at an accelerated pace.

No matter which type of degree you earn, you will be steeped in science and sociology type classes such as:

  • Healthcare Informatics
  • Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare
  • Research in Healthcare
  • Health Promotion Planning

Expect great things when you earn a degree from Sacred Heart University, especially when you graduate and begin your career in roles like:

  • Public Health Engineer
  • Wellness Consultant
  • Health Counselor
  • Worksite Safety Coordinator

Enrollment

No matter if you are a first year freshman, transfer students, military personnel or someone returning to school, you can apply to Sacred Heart University.

Visit the website for the school to find the online application.

Once there, you will need to submit the non-refundable $50 application fee in order to continue filling out your information.

Some important information is required in order to complete your application:

  • High school transcript
  • Letter of recommendation
  • SAT or ACT scores

Students who have experience with other universities will need to provide transcripts from any credits earned.

There are deadlines throughout the year, so keep an eye out for that.

Once you have completed all the of the required information, an academic advisor will contact you within about two weeks.

Fees

Online and on-campus students will pay $23,155 per semester to attend Sacred Heart University.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the total amount that graduates pay is $185,240.

Other fees that may occur at this university include:

  • Program fees – $500
  • Textbooks – $1,500
  • Health insurance – $2,599
  • Enrollment fee – $1,000

Consider staying on campus to take part in the room and board program which costs between $6,175 and $9,905 per semester.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 5151 Park Avenue Fairfield, CT 06825
  • Phone: 203-371-7999
  • Website: www.sacredheart.edu

6Liberty University

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

Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia is a private Christian school at public school prices.

Students who attend Liberty University have the option to earn their degree in person on campus or on the internet, so you don’t even need to leave West Virginia to take part in the education here.

You also do not need to be of the Christian faith in order to attend Liberty University, the school does not discriminate against beliefs and faiths.

At this large school, you will be a part of the 45,000 student body who all want to make their dreams come true.

This old world style campus is perfect for those people who want a real college experience, and with over 200 degree programs there is likely something here to pique your interests.

The Public Health Bachelors degree is a great option for students who want to help their communities learn how to take care of their health.

At Liberty University, Public Health students have two options for specializations within the field:

  • Health Promotion
  • Pre-clinical

Each path will give you the opportunity to learn science and sociology focused curriculum that includes courses like:

  • History of Life
  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Personal Health
  • Environmental Hazards and Response

You will also get the chance to become certified as a Health Education Specialist if you take an exam that is offered when you have completed the majority of your classes.

The certification and specialization will lead you toward a successful career in Public Health once you have graduated, which looks like roles including:

  • Healthcare Social Worker
  • Global Health Worker
  • Nutritionist
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Enrollment

If you are thinking about attending Liberty University, there are two options for you.

First, you can choose to enroll online or on campus, each having it’s own benefits.

When applying, you’ll want to choose which degree program that interests you so that you can plan accordingly with classes.

Your application should provide the school with your personal information and shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes to complete.

At Liberty University, the admissions criteria are based on:

  • Cumulative GPA from high school or college – 3.15 or above
  • GED scores if applicable
  • SAT or ACT scores – SAT 1020 or above and ACT 20-27
  • Trends of grades
  • Essay submission

Along with your application, you will want to submit the following paperwork:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Admission essay

If you are going to attend Liberty University as a transfer student, it is required that you provide transcripts from your previous university.

It should take about two weeks to hear back from an academic advisor.

Fees

If you plan to attend the Liberty University on campus you will pay $23,800 per year.

Every Bachelors Degree at the school takes four years to complete, so graduates will pay $95,200 in total

If you plan to take part in room and board amenities, it will be an additional $6,510 to $8,700 per year depending on the plan you choose.

Online students will pay $14,896 per year, for a total of $59,584 after four years of education.

Some other fees that you may incur at Liberty University are:

  • Activity/student center fee – $800
  • Student health fee – $340
  • Books – $1,400
  • Supplies – $600

Contact Information

  • Address: 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24515
  • Phone: 833-260-4274
  • Website: www.liberty.edu

7Ohio State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Columbus, Ohio is a great place to earn a degree at the prestigious and huge Ohio State University.

Students from West Virginia will need to move to Ohio to take part in this school, as there are only in person classes at this time.

The campus is over 1,660 acres and there are so many incredible programs, organizations, clubs, and extracurriculars to seek out that almost any interest is included.

If you are the type of person that is looking for the college experience that you see in the movies, then studying at Ohio State University should be on the top of your list.

There are over 200 majors to choose from at this public school that was founded in 1870.

In fact, one of the best one for students who want to start a career in healthcare is the Public Health Bachelors degree program.

Science lovers who have a knack for research and want to make the world a better place will take classes such as:

  • Global Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Biology
  • Community Health

Not only will you have classroom and lab time at Ohio State University, but students are given the chance to work with outside organizations like the Peach Corps, Americorps and even the CDC in order to help individuals and communities.

The all encompassing education given by the Ohio State University will help you gain employment in roles like:

  • Cultural Competency Trainer
  • Health Literacy Program Director
  • School Health Educator
  • Wellness Consultant

Enrollment

For those who are interested in enrolling at Ohio State University, you will want to head over to the website to begin your application.

There is some incredible information on the website, including how to test early and submit an essay.

Both online and on-campus applications require that you pay the $60 non-refundable fee before submitting.

Along with your application, you will need to provide some important paperwork, like:

  • Official transcripts from high school or previous education if you are transferring
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Verification if homeschooled
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Financial aid information

It is likely that it will take about two weeks to hear back on whether you have been accepted to this school or not.

This is a large school with many new applicants per day, so you can head to the website to check the status of your enrollment as well.

Ohio State University has some minimum requirements for the applicants that it allows to enroll, so take a look at the website to see if you fit the criteria.

Fees

Non-residents of Ohio will pay $36,722 per year to attend Ohio State University.

Room and board is an additional $13,966 per year.

The average Bachelors degree costs $202,752 for non-residents.

If you are from Ohio, you will pay $12,485, with room and board that comes out to $26,451 per year.

After graduation, the total tuition for Ohio residents is $104,804.

International students will pay $39,650 in tuition as well as $13,966 in room and board per year.

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

Contact Information

  • Address: 281 West Lane Ave. Columbus, OH 43212
  • Phone: 614-292-6031
  • Website: www.osu.edu

8Miami University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio is one of the top 50 universities in the United States.

This rural campus is set on over 2,000 acres and is perfect for West Virginia residents who want to feel right at home.

Miami University is one of the original Ivy League schools, but now it is also a public school so students reap the benefits of public school prices.

As a freshman at Miami University, you must live on campus, so West Virginia residents will need to pack up their bags and move to Ohio to enroll here.

With about 17,000 students on campus yearly, it won’t take long for you to find friends and settle in.

There are over 200 different programs to choose from at Miami University, those who want to choose a concentration that focuses on human disease and how to promote healthy living can study Public Health.

This Bachelors degree program is about four years in length, and encompasses biology, sociology, and psychology courses as well as general education.

The comprehensive courses will lead you toward a successful career in Public Health, and some of the required classes include:

  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy and Administration
  • Applied Behavior Change

Students also get the chance to take part in research opportunities on campus as well as become a Student Contact Tracer which is a way to give back to the school by helping keep the campus safe.

A degree from Miami University is a safe bet, since 96% of Public Health degree holders have found a job within six months of graduating here.

That being said, several of the great careers that you will likely find opening up for you after graduating are:

  • Health Educator
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Youth Outreach Coordinator

Enrollment

Transfer students and first year freshman will love the say process of applying to Miami University.

Luckily, there is no application fee at this time, so head over to the website to submit your application before November first.

It should take no longer than twenty minutes to complete your application, and you’ll want to include the following information as well:

  • High school transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
  • SAT or ACT scores

Once you have applied, simply check your email for an academic advisor to contact you about your status.

You will also be able to check on the website for financial aid information, housing information and even orientation information.

Fees

Residents of Ohio will pay $17,463 a year to attend Miami University.

After four years of education, graduates will end up paying $69,852.

If you plan to utilize room and board, you will likely pay $33,287 per year for a total of $133,148 after earning your Bachelors degree.

Students from out of state will pay $38,493 per year and $54,317 if they want to include room and board in their tuition rates.

Out of state graduates will end up paying either $153,972 or $217,268.

Contact Information

  • Address: 501 East High St. Oxford, OH 45056
  • Phone: 513-529-1809
  • Website: www.miamioh.edu

9Plymouth State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Head north to New Hampshire to take part in the scenic New England campus of Plymouth State University.

This small school hosts about 3,500 students each year, and with that tiny amount of classmates, you will certainly get the individualized education needed to succeed in today’s world.

95% of graduates from Plymouth State University are employed just six months after graduation, and that is a testament to the incredible education system here.

Science buffs who want to help their communities will be successful in the Public Health degree program.

While studying at Plymouth State University, students should expect to gain skills including how to:

  • Assess and evaluate health analysis data
  • Understand policy development
  • Achieve public health goals
  • Implement and expand research

A Bachelors degree from Plymouth State University takes four years to complete, and along with general education classes, students are required to take courses like:

  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Program Planning for Public Health
  • Society, Ethics, and Law
  • Wealth and Poverty

Each course taken at Plymouth State University will bring you one step closer to the career of your dreams in Public Health.

There are many facets to the Public Health world, and you can be a part of that with a career such as:

  • Water Quality Inspector
  • Global Health Consultant
  • Wellness Coach
  • Lactation Consultant

Enrollment

You can apply right on the Plymouth State University website with their quick and easy application process.

Currently, there are no application fees, so head on over to start your free application today.

No matter if you are a first year student or a transfer student, you are welcome to send in your information and enroll in classes here.

Along with your personal information, the school asks that you provide transcripts from high school and SAT or ACT test scores.

After completing your application, send it in and you will hear back from an academic advisor within a couple of weeks.

You can always check your status on the website as well.

Fees

Residents of New Hampshire will pay $14,558 for base tuition at Plymouth State University.

If you are a resident of New Hampshire and plan to use room and board, you will pay $26,662 per year to attend.

Since it takes four years to complete a degree here, you will end up paying between $58,232 and $106,648 upon graduation.

Those who are from out of state will pay a base yearly tuition of $25,498 and using room and board will make your tuition costs $37,602 annually.

After four years, the totals for out of state learners is between $101,992 and $150,408.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for every student who attends this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 17 High St. Plymouth, NH 03264
  • Phone: 603-535-5000
  • Website: www.plymouth.edu

10Pennsylvania State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Pennsylvania State University is a land-grant public school that is built on supporting the individual student with integrity and honesty.

Founded in 1855, this over 7,000 acre campus is located right in the middle of University Park, a great city for college students to find their passion.

With over 40,000 students on campus annually, you will definitely find friends and classmates who share the same interests as you.

Coming from West Virginia to Pennsylvania may be difficult, but with the nickname Happy Valley, you will surely find a home here.

There are over 600 undergraduate programs to fulfill the dreams of Pennsylvania residents as well as people from around the world.

For those who are looking for training in biology, behavioral science, and human disease, the Public Health Bachelors degree is the perfect source.

While studying Public Health at Pennsylvania State University, students will learn skills like:

  • Health factors
  • Health promotion and disease prevention
  • Understanding and applying ethics
  • Disparity mechanisms
  • How to critically evaluate research

Students will spend time in labs and on research to better their communities as well as the world.

Several of the classes that are required for this four year program are:

  • Introduction to Biobehavioral Health
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Human Development and Family Studies
  • Foundations and Principles of Health Promotion

Each class is designed to take you one step closer to the career of your dreams, and with knowledgable professors who have experience in the fields that they teach, you are sure to get the most out of each course.

Once you have completed all 120 credit hours of courses at Pennsylvania State University, you have two choices, you can graduate with a Bachelors degree or move on to your Masters.

Both options are a great stepping stone for people who want a career in Public Health.

After graduation, you will likely find success in life-long careers that include:

  • Research Assistant
  • Nurse’s Assistant
  • Healthcare Account Manager
  • Community Organizer

Enrollment

Pennsylvania State University has some requirements when looking to enroll.

First, students will need to be in good standing with their high school education.

Applicants will also need to provide the following information along with their application in order to be considered for admission:

  • GPA from high school
  • Transcripts from high school or other education
  • SAT or ACT scores

Once you have submitted all of this information, an academic advisor may contact you via phone or email.

It should take about two weeks for someone to contact you from the school about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Residents of Pennsylvania will pay $19,286 to attend this school, while those who come from out of state will pay $38,651 per year.

With room and board added, Pennsylvania residents pay $32,270 per year and out of state residents will pay $51,635 annually.

Since the average Bachelors degree takes about four years to finish, a Pennsylvania resident will end up paying about $154,604 and an out of stater will pay $206,540.

Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available for most students at this university.

Contact Information

  • Address: 201 Old Main University Park, PA 6802
  • Phone: 814-865-4700
  • Website: www.psu.edu

Final Thoughts

West Virginia is a beautiful state with incredible views, but it also has some interesting colleges to look into if you are interested in Public Health.

Our list of the ten best schools for Public Health Bachelors degrees should help you narrow down your options for both online and in-person learning.

We hope our list has helped you decide where you’d like to earn your degree for the next four years.

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.