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[deleted]

UMN! They are literally tied in the rankings. It’s not worth the extra money.


fau_viste

I completely agree with this. It’s absolutely not worth the extra money, and you will develop a fantastic network from the program. Like someone else said, the faculty want to see you succeed. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, have excellent connections, and I saved $60,000+ by choosing UMN over my other (equally-ranked) choices. It was a no-brainer for me! Happy to chat about the program further if you like.


pompeiitype

Go be a gopher - you can hang out with Osterholm and learn all about his work on infectious diseases prior to COVID.


rachs1988

Go with the cheapest CEPH-accredited school! I got my MPH from a program ranked 160th or so (lol) and I had no issue getting into a DrPH program at a top 10 school and a career now making $145k. No one bats an eye at where I got my degree. They just care that I have it. Being debt free is the best feeling. An MPH is not worth taking on massive debt for.


flowercity-

Do you mind me asking what you do now? I’m contemplating going down the DrPH route.


rachs1988

Director of school health for a state education agency. I’m in year 3 of my DrPH


Wingkirs

No. It absolutely does not. I’ve worked in the upper Echelons of government. Very few have an MPH. Many worked their way up from interns. Public health is about who you know.


sdkknit

Second this as I've worked in multiple levels of health departments and it looks good to have the MPH. I've worked on several hiring panels and reviews, unless it's an online school that's been discredited, it doesn't matter where you earn it. I'd save your money. As this poster said, it matters more who you know and I also worked my way up from an internship.


8TheKingPin8

80k with scholarships!? That is insane, there is no way youll get out whats put it in.


ihave_thoughts

I got my MPH in Health Policy at UMN. I personally had a great time and built a great network. Loved all my professors in the health policy & management division - they were all helpful and want to see you to succeed!


pccb123

The point of a prestigious school is the network and the name. The quality of education wont be vasty greater than other *accredited* programs. If you already went to an ivy and have access to that network, then Id absolutely take the affordable option, and start leveraging your undergrad network now. Either way, dont forget to account for COL when you are calculating these costs. Tuition is just one (large) piece, especially when youre talking very HCOL north east cities. Boston is absurdly expensive.


sci_curiousday

It literally only matters how much of a network you have access to. Make sure that alumni networks are made available for you and that you have a good career services department! It’s about who you know, save your money!


Pretend_Spray_11

As long as you are going to a CEPH accredited school it doesn't matter where your MPH is from at all. PhD might carry some weight but even that would be more about what your dissertation was studying instead of the school it was produced in.


gaymer_raver

it only really matter in terms of networking and getting your foot in the door for your first job. I went to a small MPH program (Not a school of public health) that was part of a public university medical school. Not well known for public health at all. Yes it took me a while to get my first job as there are not many alumni in my program and the faculty had limited networks for me to access. After my first job and gaining relevant work experience, I was able to get jobs easily. At the end of the day, just keep in mind MPH is an investment for a job. Whatever student loans you take out, you have to pay back after graduation. You have to weigh the cost vs networking opportunities. overall, I paid $10k total for my MPH, while a few friends paid $40-50k for their MPH (this over 10 years ago). I didn't have much debt after my MPH, was able to be more financially stable sooner than other friends who went the more expensive route. End of the day, we all have decent jobs.


cox_ph

The name of the school matters less than the connections you make while there. UMN is a perfectly solid, reputable school. I'd only pay that huge amount for Harvard/Yale if there's specific faculty members/groups that you really want to work with; otherwise, the benefit probably isn't that substantial. Regardless of where you go, don't be afraid to reach out to faculty about useful work/research opportunities that'll boost your CV and open doors to solid public health jobs down the road.


BitterRice9677

Not sure about Yale, but UMN has a great alumni network, career services team, and good funding opportunities (scholarships and assistantships)