8 Best Online MBA/MPH Dual Degree Programs 2027

Public health organizations, hospital systems, and health-focused nonprofits all depend on leaders who can manage budgets and teams while keeping community health outcomes front and center. An MBA/MPH dual degree builds both skill sets, pairing business strategy with training in epidemiology, health policy, and program evaluation. Within the wider landscape of online dual MBA programs, this combination stands out for professionals who want to lead population health initiatives rather than individual clinical departments.

Fully online MBA/MPH programs are less common than other healthcare dual degrees, so this list includes eight strong options, two of which use a hybrid format. You'll find details on each program, along with coursework, timelines, costs, financial aid, and the leadership careers this degree supports.

What Is an Online MBA/MPH Degree?

An MBA/MPH dual degree combines a Master of Business Administration with a Master of Public Health. You complete coursework from both programs through a coordinated plan, with several courses counting toward each degree, and graduate with two diplomas. Most programs require between 57 and 64 credits, compared with roughly 75 to 80 credits if you earned the degrees separately.

The MPH side covers the core areas of public health, including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, and social and behavioral sciences. Many programs also let you choose a concentration such as health policy and management or population health. The MBA side adds accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, and most programs finish with an applied practice experience and a capstone project.

Best Online MBA/MPH Dual Degree Programs

These schools offer MBA/MPH dual degrees with fully online or largely online coursework. Hybrid programs are noted so you can plan for any campus requirements before applying.

1. Kent State University

Kent State University lets you pair its 100% online MPH in Health Policy and Management with an MBA, giving you a fully remote route to both degrees. The MPH requires at least 42 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 24 months on its own, with seven- and 15-week courses and fall, spring, and summer starts. The MPH is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and Kent State's business college holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Public health coursework includes financial management for public health organizations, cost-benefit analysis, and health care systems, which complement MBA topics nicely. You'll apply separately to each program, so plan your timeline with advisors from both colleges. A health policy and management applied practice experience rounds out the MPH requirements.

2. Lenoir-Rhyne University

At Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina, the MPH/MBA requires 57 credit hours and typically takes about three years, roughly a year less than earning the degrees separately. Classes are online and asynchronous, and you can start in the fall, spring, or summer. The MPH holds CEPH accreditation, and the MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Required courses in each program count as electives for the other, which keeps the total credit load manageable. Field experiences and applied research projects can be tailored to your career goals. Graduates go on to leadership roles in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consulting, government, and nonprofits.

3. Benedictine University

Benedictine University's online MBA-MPH requires 64 credit hours across 24 courses, or 21 if you qualify to waive three MBA foundation courses. Classes run one at a time in eight-week sessions, with asynchronous coursework and live sessions for collaboration, and most students finish in about three to 3.5 years. The MPH portion is CEPH-accredited.

Unlike some dual programs, Benedictine has you complete one degree before starting the other. A 240-hour supervised internship is part of the program, and it can sometimes be completed with your current employer. There's no application fee or testing requirement, and military students can use Yellow Ribbon benefits and a military scholarship.

4. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The coordinated MPH/MBA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pairs the School of Public Health with the AACSB-accredited Collat School of Business. Normally, the two degrees would total 78 credits, but shared coursework brings the program down to about 60. UAB's School of Public Health is CEPH-accredited.

You can complete the MPH portion fully online, on campus, or through a mix of both, and the individualized Population Health concentration comes with specialized advising. Online MPH students pay less than the out-of-state tuition rate, which can make UAB a cost-effective choice for students outside Alabama. You'll apply separately to each program, and the GRE isn't required for the MPH.

5. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) offers a joint MPH/MBA that totals 57 credit hours, with four MPH courses counting as MBA electives. Full-time students can follow a two-year plan, while part-time students typically finish in three years. SIUE's public health program earned CEPH accreditation, and its School of Business is AACSB-accredited.

MBA courses run in flexible seven-week terms in online or hybrid formats, and MPH classes meet in the evening online or in a hybrid format with one weekly meeting. The MBA emphasizes quantitative analysis, negotiation, and ethical resource management. You'll finish with either a capstone project or a capstone thesis during your final year.

6. University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska Omaha

This dual program combines an MPH from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health with an MBA from the University of Nebraska Omaha's (UNO) AACSB-accredited College of Business Administration. You can complete it online or on campus, studying either part time or full time, and most students finish in three to four years.

Advisors from both programs help you build a coordinated plan of study, and students without a business background may need a few foundational business courses first. UNMC's College of Public Health is CEPH-accredited. You'll need to apply and be accepted to both schools, with programs starting each fall.

7. Montclair State University

Montclair State University in New Jersey offers an accelerated MPH/MBA in a hybrid format, combining the College for Community Health's MPH in Health Systems Administration and Policy with an MBA from the AACSB-accredited Feliciano School of Business. The MPH program holds CEPH accreditation, and the MBA side of the program also includes an online pathway.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The GRE is waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. This program is a strong match if you live in the New York metro area and want some in-person classroom time.

8. Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) structures its MPH/MBA as a combined three-year program, starting with the MPH and then moving into the MBA. For the business portion, you can choose CSU's Online MBA with fully remote courses, while the MPH offers a hybrid option for working professionals that still includes some on-campus classes in Fort Collins. The MPH is offered through the CEPH-accredited Colorado School of Public Health, and CSU's College of Business holds AACSB accreditation.

This program works best if you live within reach of Fort Collins for the MPH year and want maximum flexibility during the MBA phase. A single application to the CSU Graduate School covers the Online MBA, and MPH admission includes additional steps. Students who need a U.S. study visa aren't eligible for this path.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because truly online MBA/MPH programs are scarce, programs with hybrid formats were also considered when both halves offered meaningful online flexibility. These criteria shaped the final list:

• Accreditation: Every MPH program on this list holds CEPH accreditation, and AACSB or ACBSP business accreditation strengthened a school's standing.
• Online availability: Programs offering fully online coursework ranked highest, followed by those with limited campus requirements.
• Credit efficiency: Schools with substantial shared coursework between the two degrees were favored.
• Career alignment: Concentrations in health policy, management, and population health earned extra consideration.
• Student outcomes: Graduation rates and related outcomes were reviewed where publicly reported.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Will You Learn in an MBA/MPH Degree Program?

Public health coursework teaches you to analyze and improve health at the community and population level. You'll study biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy and law, and social and behavioral influences on health. Many programs also include program planning and evaluation, community health needs assessment, and public health administration.

The MBA courses give you the tools to run organizations efficiently. Expect classes in financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, marketing, organizational behavior, operations, and strategy. Most programs tie everything together through an applied practice experience, internship, or capstone project focused on a real public health or healthcare management challenge.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an MBA/MPH Degree Online?

Most MBA/MPH dual degrees take about three years to complete. Full-time students in programs with around 57 credits can sometimes finish in two years, while part-time students often need three to four years.

Sequential programs, where you finish one degree before starting the other, can take a bit longer than concurrent programs. Internship hours, capstone projects, and foundation courses for students without a business background can also add time to your schedule.

How Much Does an Online MBA/MPH Degree Cost?

Total tuition for an MBA/MPH dual degree typically ranges from about $30,000 to $60,000 or more. Public universities charging in-state or reduced online rates tend to fall at the lower end, while private universities usually charge more per credit hour.

Since credit totals vary by more than a semester's worth of coursework across programs, compare full program costs rather than per-credit rates. Also budget for technology fees, textbooks, and any travel for hybrid programs or campus-based practicums. If cost is a deciding factor, browsing affordable online master's in public health programs can help you gauge typical MPH pricing on its own.

Financial Aid for Online MBA/MPH Degrees

A mix of federal aid, employer support, and public health-specific funding can bring the cost of a dual degree within reach. Many students combine several of these options.

• Federal student loans: Graduate students can borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans within annual and lifetime limits. Filing the FAFSA for an MBA also qualifies you for many institutional scholarships.
• Employer tuition assistance: Hospitals, health departments, and health insurers often pay for graduate degrees that relate to an employee's role. Many hospitals that offer tuition reimbursement cover several thousand dollars per year.
• Public health scholarships: Schools of public health, the American Public Health Association, and state public health associations offer awards for MPH students. Some scholarships specifically support students pursuing management or policy concentrations.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: If you work full time for a government agency or qualifying nonprofit, you may be eligible to have remaining federal loan balances forgiven after 120 qualifying payments. This can be especially valuable for public health careers.
• Military benefits: Service members and veterans may be able to use education benefits and Yellow Ribbon support at participating schools. Reviewing whether the GI Bill covers an MBA can help you estimate how far your benefits will go.

How To Choose the Right MBA/MPH Degree

With relatively few online MBA/MPH programs available, it's especially important to compare the details carefully. The factors below can help you find the program that fits your goals and schedule.

CEPH and Business Accreditation

CEPH accreditation is the standard for MPH programs and can affect eligibility for federal public health jobs and the Certified in Public Health exam. On the business side, AACSB or ACBSP accreditation signals a rigorous MBA curriculum.

Online vs. Hybrid Format

Some programs are fully online, while others require evening classes, weekly meetings, or an on-campus year. Confirm the delivery format for every required course in both programs, not just the half that's advertised as online.

Concurrent vs. Sequential Structure

Concurrent programs let you take MBA and MPH courses at the same time, while sequential programs have you finish one degree before starting the other. Concurrent plans tend to feel more integrated, while sequential plans let you focus on one discipline at a time.

MPH Concentration Options

Concentrations in health policy and management or health systems administration align most closely with an MBA. If you're interested in epidemiology or community health, check whether those concentrations are open to dual degree students.

Practicum and Internship Requirements

Most MPH programs require an applied practice experience of 120 to 240 hours or more. Ask whether you can complete these hours with your current employer and how much placement support the program provides.

Career Outlook With an Online MBA/MPH Degree

An MBA/MPH dual degree prepares you to lead hospitals, health departments, community health organizations, and health-focused nonprofits. Many graduates move into roles as medical and health services managers, directing programs, budgets, and staff while improving health outcomes for the populations they serve.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earn a median annual wage of $123,860. Employment is projected to grow 24% through 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, as healthcare organizations continue to expand and evolve. Public health expertise can give you an advantage for roles focused on population health management, quality improvement, and community health strategy.

FAQs About the Best Online MBA/MPH Degree Programs

Students weighing an MBA/MPH often have questions about how it differs from other healthcare degrees and what doors it opens. These answers cover several of the most common topics.

How Is an MBA/MPH Different From an MBA/MHA?

An MBA/MPH focuses on population and community health, preparing you to lead public health programs, health agencies, and prevention-focused initiatives. An MBA/MHA concentrates on managing healthcare delivery organizations like hospitals and physician practices. Comparing the structure of a dual MHA/MBA degree can help you decide which focus suits your career goals.

Do You Need a Healthcare Background for an MBA/MPH Program?

Most MBA/MPH programs welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including business, social sciences, and life sciences. Some programs may expect coursework in statistics or biology, and students without a business degree may need foundation courses before the MBA core. Healthcare or public health work experience is helpful but rarely required.

Can You Get Into an MBA/MPH Program Without the GRE or GMAT?

Many MBA/MPH programs have dropped standardized testing requirements or offer waivers based on GPA or work experience. Requirements can differ between the two halves of a dual program, so check both admissions policies. Exploring online MPH programs with no GRE requirement can help you identify public health schools with test-optional admissions.

Should You Take the Certified in Public Health Exam?

The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners, demonstrates broad knowledge across public health disciplines. Students and graduates of CEPH-accredited programs are typically eligible to sit for the exam. The credential can strengthen your resume, especially for leadership roles in health departments and public health organizations.

Is an MBA/MPH Worth It for Government Public Health Jobs?

An MBA/MPH can be valuable in government public health roles, where leaders manage large budgets, grants, and multidisciplinary teams. The business training helps with strategic planning and financial oversight, while the MPH provides the public health expertise agencies expect. If you plan to stay in the public sector, Public Service Loan Forgiveness can also improve the long-term value of your degree.

Discover Online MBA/MPH Dual Degrees

An MBA/MPH dual degree can prepare you to lead organizations that improve health across entire communities while managing the business side of public health. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about formats, admission requirements, and costs.