CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Illinois—including fully online options—are compared here by delivery format, concentrations, GRE policy, tuition, and admissions timeline, so you can shortlist the right fit fast.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Illinois—anchored by Chicago, one of the largest urban public health markets in the U.S.—offers a strong mix of CEPH-accredited MPH programs, from research powerhouses to flexible online degrees. The Chicago Department of Public Health, Cook County Health, the American Medical Association (headquartered in Chicago), and major academic health systems all hire MPH graduates. This guide compares Illinois’s accredited programs by format, concentrations, GRE policy, and tuition—verify specifics on each school’s official page before applying.
Quick Filters (Jump straight to what fits you)
- Want fully online? UIC, Benedictine, and Loyola Chicago offer online MPH tracks.
- Want to finish fast? Northwestern offers a full-time MPH completable in about one year.
- Want data/informatics? UIC runs the only CEPH-accredited online Public Health Informatics MPH in the country.
- Want the lowest tuition? Public universities (UIC, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) generally cost less at in-state rates.
- Want a specific concentration? Epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy & administration, community health, and global health are all available.
Accredited MPH Programs in Illinois
The programs below are CEPH-accredited and offer the MPH. Confirm details on the official page and the CEPH accredited directory.
Quick comparison (fast scan)
| University | City | Format | GRE | Notable concentrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) | Chicago | On-campus & online | Not required (most tracks) | Community Health Sciences, Health Policy & Administration, Public Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health |
| Northwestern University (Feinberg) | Chicago | On-campus (1-yr full-time or part-time) | Not required | Epidemiology, Global Health, Data Science, Community Health Research, Generalist |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | On-campus | Check program | Generalist MPH (College of Applied Health Sciences) |
| Loyola University Chicago (Parkinson) | Maywood / Chicago | On-campus & online | Check program | Epidemiology, Health Policy, Population Health Management |
| Benedictine University | Lisle | Fully online & on-campus | Not required | Generalist MPH (asynchronous, flexible pacing) |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | On-campus | Check program | Generalist MPH with health-education emphasis |
Mini-profiles (skimmable, source-verified)
- University of Illinois Chicago – School of Public Health (Chicago). Illinois’s flagship public health school, with on-campus and three online MPH tracks (Community Health Sciences, Health Policy & Administration, and the country’s only CEPH-accredited online Public Health Informatics MPH). Deep ties to Chicago and Cook County health agencies.
- Northwestern University – Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago). A prestigious MPH you can complete full-time in about a year, or part-time in the evenings while working. Concentrations include epidemiology, global health, and data science. No GRE required.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A CEPH-accredited on-campus MPH through the College of Applied Health Sciences—strong for students who want a Big Ten research campus at in-state tuition.
- Loyola University Chicago – Parkinson School (Maywood/Chicago). A values-driven program offering on-campus and online options with a population-health and policy focus.
- Benedictine University (Lisle). A flexible, fully asynchronous online MPH that lets working professionals study on their own schedule and finish in as little as two years.
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A CEPH-accredited on-campus MPH with a health-education emphasis and affordable in-state tuition.
How to Choose the Right Illinois MPH (Fast Checklist)
- Confirm CEPH accreditation for the specific program on its official page.
- Match the format to your life—online (UIC, Benedictine, Loyola) if you’re working; on-campus if you want lab access and Chicago networking.
- Pick a concentration tied to a target role (informatics/data for analytics jobs, epidemiology for surveillance).
- Check the practicum model—Chicago and Cook County placements are a major advantage.
- Budget total cost, and confirm in-state vs out-of-state rates.
Online MPH Options in Illinois
For flexibility, UIC (Community Health Sciences, Health Policy & Administration, Public Health Informatics), Benedictine, and Loyola Chicago offer online MPH tracks. These carry the same CEPH accreditation and award the same degree as on-campus study. Comparing nationwide? See our guide to the best online MPH programs.
GRE Requirements in Illinois
Most Illinois MPH programs are GRE-optional or GRE-free—UIC and Northwestern typically don’t require it. A waiver isn’t a math waiver, so show quantitative readiness through statistics coursework. For a national list, see no-GRE MPH programs.
Tuition & Funding (Read this before you budget)
Public universities (UIC, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) are generally most affordable at in-state rates; private options (Northwestern, Loyola, Benedictine) typically cost more. Beyond tuition, budget for fees, books, and any campus visits. Explore graduate assistantships, employer sponsorship, and external awards—see our guide to public health scholarships in the USA.
Public Health Careers & Salaries in Illinois
Illinois offers a deep job market, led by Chicago. Graduates work for the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health, Cook County Health, and major systems including Northwestern Medicine, Rush, UChicago Medicine, and Advocate Health. Typical MPH roles and national median salaries (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024):
- Epidemiologists — about $83,980/year nationally, projected job growth around +16% (2024–2034).
- Biostatisticians / statisticians — about $103,300/year nationally.
- Health education specialists — about $71,700/year nationally.
- Medical & health services managers — about $117,960/year nationally.
- Public health informaticians / health-data analysts — strong demand in Chicago’s hospital and payer market.
The Chicago metro is one of the largest health-employer markets in the Midwest; check BLS metro data for your target role.
Admissions Timeline (Plan backward from your deadline)
Give yourself about three months from “start” to “submit.” Many programs use the centralized SOPHAS application, which can take weeks to verify—see our SOPHAS timeline.
- Weeks 1–2: Shortlist 3–5 CEPH programs; confirm format, concentration, and deadlines.
- Weeks 3–4: Request transcripts; line up 2–3 recommenders.
- Weeks 5–7: Draft your statement of purpose—name a target role and why an MPH now.
- Weeks 8–9: Finalize your resume with measurable outcomes; refine your practicum idea.
- Weeks 10–12: Submit ahead of priority deadlines for the best funding, then track interviews and decisions.
FAQs
Which Illinois universities are CEPH-accredited for the MPH?
Established CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Illinois include the University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago, Benedictine University, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Confirm current status on the CEPH directory before applying.
Can I earn an MPH fully online in Illinois?
Yes. UIC offers three online MPH tracks, and Benedictine and Loyola Chicago offer online options. The online degree carries the same CEPH accreditation as on-campus study.
Do Illinois MPH programs require the GRE?
Most are GRE-optional or GRE-free, including UIC and Northwestern. You should still demonstrate quantitative readiness.
Which Illinois MPH is best for data or informatics?
UIC offers the only CEPH-accredited online Public Health Informatics MPH in the country, and Northwestern offers a Data Science concentration—both strong for analytics-focused careers.
Internal Links
- CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in the U.S.
- Best Online MPH Programs
- Best Public Health Degrees: Types, Careers & Salary
- No-GRE MPH Programs
- Public Health Scholarships in the USA
- CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in Georgia
- CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in Florida
- CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in Texas
- CEPH-Accredited MPH Programs in New York
