Are you considering advancing your career in the field of public health by earning a master in biostatistics online? Earning a master’s degree with a focus on biostatistics can give you the competitive edge you’re looking for. It can lead you to exciting opportunities in the public health.
This list of Top 10 Master’s in Biostatistics Online can help pave your way to earning your master’s in biostatistics through a top online program. Earning master’s in biostatistics can advance your career opportunities. It can also increase your earning potential.
If you want to become more marketable in the field of public health check out these online programs to explore the possibilities. An MPH in biostatistics will equip you with the tools needed to rise to the top in the exciting field of public health. These online programs allow you to fulfill work and family obligations without uprooting. Check out these MPH programs in biostatistics to help you find a program that can fit your career and education aspirations.
Methodology for Ranking Online Biostatistics Master’s Programs
The initial pool of 13 schools with online master degree and MPH programs in biostatistics was developed from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) website. All programs are from accredited schools and Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredited. Master of Science (MS), Master of Science in Biostatistics (MSBST) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs with concentrations in biostatistics were ranked based on online format, unique program characteristics, national ranking status and in state tuition cost. Tuition costs listed are from the College Navigator website and are for comparison purposes only. Some programs may require short periods of residence. Prospective students should confirm program tuition costs with their program of interest. Check out these programs to find an online master’s in biostatistics program that will help you meet your goals.
10. CUNY School of Public Health, Brooklyn, NY
MPH
In-state Tuition $9,930
Out-of-state Tuition $23,160
The MPH in Biostatistics is for students who want to design population studies that will inform evidence based interventions that will impact health through tangible urban health improvements.You can expect to collaborate on applied research and interpret and communicate findings to facilitate the development of evidence-based interventions. As a Biostatistics students you will gain understanding of advanced statistical methods through their application to public health data management, statistical analysis and interpretation. As a graduate you may find employment in government and private health agencies, working as research administrators, analytics managers, safety directors and trial coordinators, among other things.
9. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
MPH
In-state Tuition $12,092
Out-of-state Tuition $38,693
Ohio State’s online Master of Public Health in Biostatistics will teach you to implement statistical methods and principles and interpret health data. This 100% online program is taught by the same faculty that teaches the on campus programs. This online public health program in biostatistics will equip you with the necessary training to apply statistical methods to tackle challenges in the health sciences field through coursework including survey sampling methods, genomic data analysis and applied survival analysis. As a graduate you can expect to be prepared to address problems in public health and medicine, recognize strengths and weaknesses of study designs and data resources using SAS and use computational methods to analyze complex public health and medical data effectively. This program’s 17 hours of elective credits allows you to choose from a wide range of courses, including genomic data analysis, design analysis of clinical trials and others, which allows you to shape your education and explore areas you are most interested in. You can complete his program in as little as two years full-time or three years part-time. Most classes are asynchronously, enabling you to study when you want.
8. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
MPH
In-state Tuition $9,207
Out-of-state Tuition $26,379
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s 42 credit online MPH degree program promises to engage you in public health core curriculum with a concentration in biostatistics. This specialized professional MPH degree program teaches you the biostatistical and quantitative skills to analyze public health data and apply it to real-world problems. UNMC’s challenging MPH degree program with a biostatistics concentration teaches you the foundational public health skills to practice in the field of public health and participate in public health research. This area of study is designed for those working in public health who wish to broaden their training in statistical and quantitative evaluation of public health research and public health programs. If you wish to develop statistical and quantitative skills you may find what they’re looking for at UNMC.
7. University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
MS
In-state Tuition $13,944
Out-of-state Tuition $28,340
University of Louisville’s online Master of Science in Biostatistics offers you a program that is designed for the professional wanting to advance in their career in biostatistics, statistics or data science. This 30 credit Master’s degree offered by the School of Public Health & Information Science can be completed in as little as 3 semesters of full time study, with part time study also available. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from another accredited institution. You can expect to be equipped with expertise needed to meet demand for statisticians who are able to drive evidence-based decisions across any industry. The MS Program for the Standard and Thesis tracks teaches probability, statistical theory, and biostatistical methods in the first year in addition to biostatistics concentration courses in clinical trials and categorical data analysis. The second year fall semester includes classes in survival analysis and elective biostatistics classes. The Thesis Track for the MS in Biostatistics includes preparation and defense of your thesis during the second year spring semester.
6. East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
MPH
In-state Tuition $8,784
Out-of-state Tuition $23,904
This online MPH in biostatistics offers you an affordable and flexible program accessible from anywhere in the world. This biostatistics concentration offers a strong curriculum with instruction in basic analytical methods and use of statistical software. ETSU’s 100% online Master of Public Health degree program was designed with the working professional in mind, with flexible and convenient online courses led by the same instructors that teach on-campus courses. You are expected to have strong math skills and aptitude to enter this program. Graduating from this online MPH program in biostatistics will ensure you are equipped to analyze data that can be used to prevent disease and promote health in the community. Border county residents may be qualify for a tuition discount.
5. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
MPH
Tuition $63,468
University of Southern California’s Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in biostatistics and epidemiology is available in a 100% online format. This exciting opportunity to earn a MPH from top rated Keck School of Medicine of USC promises to immerse you in cutting-edge public health education. You will take part in a practicum experience to apply classroom knowledge, gain practical experience, and network with public health agencies and communities around the world. In this program you will gain knowledge in statistical procedures, research cause, trends and disease prevention, health trends and analysis. This program can be completed full time in 2 years, with part time students able to take up to five years to complete. Additionally, USC offers a one year fast track option to complete this program in just four semesters. This program has three start dates per year.
4. Tufts University, Medford, MA
MPH
Tuition $54,196
Tufts University’s top Master’s in Public Health program includes a CEPH accredited online MPH with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics. As a graduate you can expect to be prepared to address public health challenges such as epidemics, pandemics, environmental health issues, and inequities in health through the application of statistical analysis and data interpretation. You can complete this 42 credit online MPH program in as little as 20 months of full time study. You can expect to have the opportunity to apply your knowledge by serving in a community through an Applied Learning Experience (ALE). The ALE allows you to complete a 160 hour practicum working with a preceptor to address an existing challenge in public health. As a student you can expect the same collaborative learning approach as the on-campus programs offered by Tufts School of Medicine.
3. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
MS
In-state tuition $10,770
Out-of-state tuition $27,335
This online master’s degree in biostatistics from University of Florida offers you the opportunity to build a theoretical foundation in biostatistics, advanced skills in data analysis, and more. This challenging online program is designed for working professionals with an undergraduate background in statistics, mathematics, biostatistics, biology, biomedical science or a related field. This program is part of the Department of Biostatistics and requires a minimum of 36 credit hours to complete and is 100% online and asynchronous. Tuition for this program is $750/credit, no matter student’s residency. As a graduate of this program you can expect to be competitive for employment in academic university-based settings, industry, and federal agencies that involve research and public health practice.
2. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
MPH
Tuition $60,480
Johns Hopkins University’s renowned MPH degree program can be accessed and completed in a variety of delivery types including fully online, fully on-site, or via a combination of online and on-site courses. Online courses are delivered with pre-recorded lectures, discussion boards and live chats, allowing online students to complete their studies by planning around their personal schedules. This MPH concentration in epidemiological and biostatistical methods for public health and clinical research is designed for students with a quantitative background wishing to pursue a rigorous program in epidemiology, study design, and statistical data analysis. This program is best suited for you if you are already working in a particular area and have identified specific research interests. The MPH capstone requirement has both a written and oral presentation component. Part time online students have four years to complete the program, with students in this concentration required to complete 19 credits over and above the MPH core course requirements. This program offers flexibility in planning the curriculum with choices in course modalities including 8 week terms or intensive institute courses. This rigorous program may be the one to help advance your career.
1. University of California, Berkeley, CA
MPH
In-state-tuition $11,700
Out-of-state tuition $26,802
This online MPH program in epidemiology and biostatistics promises a rewarding educational experience and is designed for working professionals. This 27 month online MPH degree program promises to equip you with relevant and evidence based skills taught by Berkeley’s world renowned faculty. Students will be on campus for summer intensive learning (a total of 15 days during the program), enabling collaboration with faculty and classmates. One of the school’s assets that you will benefit from as a graduate is the professional network available to Berkeley Public Health Alumni. The Center for Public Health Practice and Leadership (CPHPL) is the career service for public health students and alumni, providing a full range of career resources for graduate students and alumni throughout their careers.
FAQ
Biostatistics is a quantitative field that applies data analysis and statistics to health related research. A biostatistician can look at how something affects a specific aspect of health, such as a specific medication’s affect on birth defect rate in a developing fetus or the affect of air pollution on lung cancer rate.
A master’s in biostatistics will give you research, data analysis, data collection and analysis, and data management skills. Other skills biostatisticians have include: Methodological expertise, collaboration with a team, understanding of inference assumptions for analysis, identifying confounders and sources of bias, data management skills, and data analysis and statistical methods. These transferable skills can get you in the door in public health and other industries that need biostatisticians.
Biostatisticians work in academia, government, pharmaceutical companies, organizations running clinical trials, medical, manufacturing, insurance, or marketing, to name a few. Anywhere experts in data management and statistical analysis are needed would be a possibility.
First, think about what is important to you. Do you need flexibility? Do you need to finish quickly or do you want to take more time? What concentration are you wanting to pursue? Do you want a program with an internship requirement? Check out program websites and contact the schools that look interesting for more information.
Full-time master’s programs typically take one to two years to complete. Part-time programs can take up to seven years. Programs sometime accept transfer credits, which can shorten the time it takes to finish. Sometimes schools have a time limit on how long you can take to finish a degree.
With more and more schools offering online master’s degree programs, more students are enjoying the benefits of flexible programing. Students can work their studies around like responsibilities while preparing for the future. With the use on online platforms such as Canvas and Blackboard, students can study and submit assignments wherever they are located. Classes may be synchronous or a synchronous, which requires discipline and planning. Some programs are 100% online with no campus requirements, while others have some on campus requirements. Tuition is based on state residency.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) projects 30% growth in jobs for statisticians between 2022 and 2032. The median pay in 2022 was $99,960. Pay will vary depending on experience and location. The highest salaries are reported in the federal government, scientific research and development, and insurance. BLS.gov provides occupation-specific statistics for each state.
Biostatistics students can expect classes in biostatistics theory, research design, experimental analysis, epidemiology, biostatistics computing, and data analysis in addition to public health or computer science courses. Students are expected to problem solve and interpret results.
By being a biostatistician in public health can impact individuals and populations. According to the CDC, public health initiatives over the last 100 years have added 25 years to the life expectancy in the U.S. due to improvements in workplace safety, food safety, motor vehicle safety, vaccinations, and declines in death from heart attack and stroke. There is still improvements to be made.
Graduate school is often financed through a variety of methods that may include student loans, scholarships from the school, scholarships from organizations, personal savings, employer financing, research fellowships or teaching assistantships. Talk to your school of interest about your goals and financial needs to determine your financial aid package.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the organization for public health workers. APHA works to strengthen the profession and influence federal policies. They have a global membership with members from over 40 countries.
The International Society for Clinical Biostatisticians (ISCB) is the professional organization for biostatisticians. ISCB provides a common forum through meetings, seminars, and publications and promotes research and practice standards.
By Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES
February 2024
Carol graduated with her BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and her BSN in Nursing from Rowan University. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) with experience working with adults and children living with diabetes in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
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