10 Best Public Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in Alaska

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Alaska is one of those states that everyone wants to see at least once in their life.

With the gorgeous Arctic forests, lakes, and ocean views there are a plethora of sightseeing and tourist attractions to accommodate anyone’s desires.

However, Alaska does lack one thing, and that is universities that provide Public Health Bachelors degree programs.

This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to fulfill your dreams of working in Public Health, it just means you’ll need to head out to distant lands, also known as other states in the United States, in order to earn your degree.

No worries, there are a few universities on this list that do have online education for people who don’t want to leave the jaw-dropping views of Alaska.

Here are a list of the 10 best ways to earn a Bachelors degree for Alaska residents.

1Portland State University

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

Although Oregon is far from Alaska, there are some really incredible benefits of attending Portland State University.

Not only do students get to view the ocean from the continental United States, but this urban university has a lot of charm and forward thinking curriculum.

Students get the chance to see the big city of Portland all while studying on campus.

One of the benefits of this school is that students are also welcome to take part in the education online, so even if you are from Alaska you don’t have to move out of state to learn.

For people who are interested in biology, healthcare, and their community, the Public Health Bachelors degree could be the perfect fit.

The program at Portland State University prepares students to implement, create, and understand ways to promote good health in their communities.

Within this four year program, students will take part in a variety of courses, including:

  • Environmental Science
  • Identity and Society
  • Human Development
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

Whether you stay in Alaska or head to Oregon, you will be able to find some great careers across the United States in healthcare and even government agencies with a degree from this university.

Some of the interesting careers that graduates of Portland State University have procured over the years are:

  • Medical Writer
  • Health Inspector
  • Community Health Worker
  • Health Center Administrator

Enrollment

Portland State University has an easy online application that should only take about twenty minutes to complete.

The school does have some requirements for prospective students, these include:

  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Complete English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Arts with at least a C-

If you meet this criteria, then the next step is to fill out your application and submit the $60 non-refundable application fee.

Along with your application, expect to include some important paperwork: 

  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Official high school or previous education transcripts

After submitting your application, check the website to see if you have been admitted or wait a week or two for an academic advisor to contact you about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Residents of Oregon pay $21,612 for full-time classes annually.

This comes out to $86,448 after graduation.

If you live in Washington, you will pay $23,412 per year to attend Portland State University.

Graduates from Washington end up paying $93,648 once they have completed their education.

Prospective students from other states can expect to pay $59,412 annually to attend this school.

Upon graduation, out-of-state learners pay $237,648 to earn a degree.

There are some other expenses that may apply at Portland State University, including:

  • Books – $800
  • Room and Board – $9,600 to $16,500
  • Health Insurance – $1,500

Contact Information

  • Address: 1825 Southwest Broadway Portland, OR 97201
  • Phone: 503-725-3000
  • Website: www.pdx.edu

2Central Washington University

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

Another great out of state college for Alaska residents is Central Washington University located in Ellensburg, Washington state.

This public four year school is known for its beautiful landscape and sprawling late Victorian campus.

Prospective students who aspire to make a change in their community and even the world through the Public Health program can find a wonderful curriculum here.

You’ll be delighted to know that students at Central Washington University can enroll online and in-person for this degree program.

This is great for people from Alaska as you won’t need to leave your home state to take part in the classes and discussion.

The Public Health Bachelors degree program is designed to teach students program development, how to address inequities in the healthcare system, and disease prevention.

One of the best parts of this four year degree program is that students can partake in internships that allow them to gain real-life experience.

Before you begin your internship, you’ll take on challenging classes that include:

  • Public Health Ethics
  • Research Experience in Public Health
  • Essentials for Healthy Living
  • Women’s Health Issues

The entire curriculum for this program is based on healthcare and healthy living, so students can gain insight into making their communities healthier and more informed.

Once you have completed all of the required classes and the internship, you will be on your way to graduation.

Graduating from Central Washington University can give you a leg-up in the real-world career wise, as you’ll be able to gain employment in areas like:

  • Community Service Manager
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Healthcare Consultant
  • Survey Statistician

Enrollment

No matter if you are first year freshman, transfer student, military personnel or someone who would like to go to Central Washington University online, you are welcome to apply here.

In order to get started, you will need to head to the website to fill out the online application.

One of the great things about Central Washington University is that nearly everyone who enrolls is likely to receive scholarships from the school if they apply early.

There is a $60 non-refundable application fee to apply to this university.

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

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

If you plan to study here, you will also need to meet these requirements:

  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Have completed the College Academic Distribution Requirements
    • 4 years of English, 4 years of Math, 2 years of world language, 3 years of science and social studies, and one year of arts

After completing your application it should take about two weeks for an academic advisor to get back to you on whether you have been accepted or not.

Fees

Washington residents will pay $5,370 per year to attend Central Washington University.

This comes out to $21,480 upon graduation.

If you are a person from another state, you can expect to pay $16,746 per year.

After four years of school, you will end up paying $66,984.

Some additional course fees, late fees, and other miscellaneous fees may apply.

Financial aid is available for qualified students at this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 400 East University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926
  • Phone: 509-963-1111
  • Website: www.cwu.edu

3Eastern Washington University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Life at Eastern Washington University is all about togetherness and leadership.

If you enroll here, you will be considered a part of a large family, taken under the wing of students and faculty alike.

There are some great opportunities to fulfill your dreams here at Eastern Washington University, even for people from Alaska.

Located in Cheney, Washington this school gives off small-town charm with big-city surroundings.

Prospective students find this university appealing for it’s closeness and curriculum, along with over 100 other programs, the Public Health Bachelors degree can lead you toward your goals.

Public Health promotes protection of humans and their surrounding communities.

If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, take a look at a couple of the fantastic courses that are required in order to graduate from this four year program:

  • Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
  • Environmental Health
  • Cross Cultural Practices in Health
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

The Bachelors degree program at Eastern Washington University is available only in person at this time, but some day maybe it will also be online for people from across the world.

You’ll love the internship experiences offered at Eastern Washington University as well, which will combine what you learned in school with real-life experience to help guide you toward your dream career.

Once you have completed all of your required courses, capstone project, and internships you’ll be on your way to graduating with a Bachelors degree.

A Bachelors degree from Eastern Washington University can earn you successful roles in careers that include:

  • Health Promoter
  • Program Evaluator
  • Public Health Researcher
  • Community Health Educator

Enrollment

In order to apply to Eastern Washington University you will need to head to the website and submit a $60 non-refundable application fee.

Along with your personal information in the application, you will need to provide some important paperwork as well, like:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Financial aid information
  • Scholarship information

International students will be required to submit their English Proficiency Exam scores as well as show proof of a passport.

It should take about a week for an academic advisor to get back to you about the next steps in the process.

Fees

Washington residents will receive a discount on tuition at Eastern Washington University.

Washington residents will pay $8,139 per year for a total of $$32,556 after four years of education.

Students who are from other states will pay $25,464 per year.

This will be a total of $101,856 after graduation.

There may be some additional fees that come up yearly for students, like:

  • Book – $800
  • Room and Board – $13,739
  • Technology – $120
  • Health and Wellness – $390

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 526 5th St. Cheney, WA 99004
  • Phone: 509-359-6200
  • Website: www.ewu.edu

4La Sierra University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Further south, in Riverside, California you will find a gorgeous public campus by the name of La Sierra University.

There are experienced faculty here as well as great opportunities to work with real-life situations in all types of majors including Public Health.

This is an entirely on-campus program, so students from Alaska will have to head to California to take part in it.

Once you are here, you will be challenged with research, evaluation, and data skills to help lead you toward your dream career.

A Bachelors degree in Public Health will take about four years to complete and will consist of many great classes, including ones like:

  • Dimensions in Health
  • Lifestyle Diseases
  • Health and the Global Environment
  • Nutrition Theory and Practice

After graduation, you’ll have all of the skills necessary to find entry-level careers in Public Health across the United States.

Some of the fantastic life-long careers that people from La Sierra University have held include:

  • Director of Family Health Services
  • Behavioral Research Scientist
  • Vaccine Researcher
  • Disease Ecologist

Enrollment

In order to be considered for admission at La Sierra University, prospective students will need to create an account in order to apply.

Along with your application, it is important to submit the following paperwork:

  • High school transcript
  • GPA of 2.8 or above
  • SAT or ACT scores

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee with all applications submitted on the website.

If you are transferring from another school there is a separate application and you will need to provide proof of any credits earned from previous schools.

Fees

Every year, full time students will pay $33,912.

This comes out to $135,648 after receiving your Bachelors degree.

This does not include housing and meals, which add up to about $11,325 per year.

If you factor in those costs, students will pay $79,212 for their college education.

Scholarships and financial aid are available for this university.

Contact Information

  • Address: 4500 Riverwalk Parkway Riverside, CA 92505
  • Phone: 800-864-5587
  • Website: www.lasierra.edu

5San José State University

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

Another urban university that is located in California is San José State University.

Here, students thrive in the sunshine and have been for over 150 years.

This large school is great for people who want a taste of fast-paced lifestyles while studying for their dream career.

At San José University you can enter into the Public Health Bachelors degree program, which is given exclusively in person, so if you are from Alaska you will need to move to California in order to take part in the education.

If you have a desire to work in healthcare and love science, then this degree path will be perfect for you while you take classes like:

  • Understanding Your Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Care Organizations and Admin
  • Healthy Communities

With the help of successful and scholarly faculty you can achieve your goal of earning a Bachelors degree in four years at this university.

After graduation, it will be easy to find rewarding careers in any of the following roles with a degree from San José State University: 

  • Health Media Director
  • Health Promotion Programmer
  • Accreditation Coordinator
  • Health Officer

Enrollment

Enrollment at San José State University is quick and easy, and once you’re in you’ll feel like family.

The easiest and best way to apply is through the school’s website with their online application.

Freshman, transfer students, international learners, and even people in the military are welcome to submit their application here.

In order to be considered for admission as a freshman student here, you will need to show that you:

  • Have earned a high school diploma
  • Completed required high school courses with a C- or above

Some other important information that you will need to submit along with your application includes:

  • ACT and SAT scores
  • Transcripts from previous education

Once you have completed the above criteria, submit your application and an academic advisor will contact you about the next steps.

It should take about two weeks to hear back from the school, at which time you’ll be able to select classes and declare your major.

Fees

Undergraduates who live on campus will pay $46,994 per year to attend this school.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, the total for on-campus living students is $187,976.

Those who decide to live off campus while attending this university will pay $21,822 annually.

After four years, this total comes out to $87,288.

Financial aid and scholarships opportunities are available for this school.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1 Washington Sq. San José, CA 95192
  • Phone: 408-924-1000
  • Website: www.sjsu.edu

6University of California-Irvine

Programs Offered:
On-Campus
Out-of-State

At this top ten school in Irvine, California you will find a powerful and expansive campus.

The University of California in Irvine is one of the most diverse public schools in the country.

Considering these points, you can understand why thousands of Alaska residents head to this campus to achieve their Bachelors degree goals.

For students pursuing a degree in Public Health, you’ll love the wide variety of classmates you’ll have at your side along the way.

There are over 1,500 Public Health Bachelors degree undergraduates most of the time at this school, which means you’ll have many people to lean on and help with homework, lab work, and other opportunities.

When you get to the University of California in Irvine, you’ll notice that you will need to take a lot of science focused courses in order to fulfill your degree requirements, which include:

  • Case Studies in Public Health
  • Organic Chemistry
  • From DNA to Organisms
  • Global Economy

Throughout your senior year at this university, you will be required to take part in an internship that can give you real-world experience while still studying for your degree.

Everything that you learn at the University of California in Irvine come together to lead you toward a successful career in areas like:

  • Education Program Manager
  • Community Organizer
  • Health Counselor
  • Health Literacy Program Manager

Enrollment

Those who are interested in undergraduate degrees can begin their journey with the University of California in Irvine by submitting an application on their website.

The application process has deadlines throughout the year so keep checking back on the website to make sure you don’t miss any important dates.

After completing your application you will need to submit a $70 non-refundable application fee as well.

Now, let’s talk about what you need in order to apply.

There are a list of items that are necessary to include with your application, like:

  • High school and previous education transcripts
  • ACT or SAT test scores
  • Annual income proof
  • Social security number
  • Citizenship status

About four weeks after you submit your application you will receive an acknowledgment letter from the school.

You may also check your application status online through the school’s website.

An academic advisor will contact you via email if you have been accepted to the school.

Fees

For residents of California who do not plan to live on campus, the yearly fee to attend the University of California in Irvine is $30,946 which includes books, travel, and other fees.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree here, the total tuition cost is $123,784 upon graduation.

For residents of California who would like to live on campus, the yearly tuition is $40,202.

This comes out to a total of $160,808 after four years of education.

If you are someone who is not a resident of California but would still like to attend the school, you will pay $72,776 per year.

A non-resident will end up paying about $291,104 after graduating from this university.

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

Contact Information

  • Address: 401 East Peltason Dr. Suite 3200 Irvine, CA 92617
  • Phone: 949-824-5011
  • Website: www.uci.edu

7Walden University

Programs Offered:
Online
Out-of-State

If you would prefer an online format for your education, then Walden University may be just what you are looking for.

This online education system has been around since the 1970’s and now provides students with the chance to earn over 100 degrees.

Those who are interested in Public Health will find a great Bachelors degree program here that is accredited and has challenging but interesting curriculum.

There are so many things to learn throughout this 100% online program, and students are given the chance to take part in classes like:

  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Human Disease and Prevention
  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare
  • Public and Global Health

Though you won’t have to take on an internship through Walden University, you will need to work on a Capstone project throughout your senior year.

This project will help students understand real world health issues so that they can master their degree.

After graduation, you will be capable and find it easy to gain access to a plethora of careers, which will include:

  • Youth Program Specialist
  • Integrative Health Practitioner
  • Health Media Director
  • Education Director

Enrollment

The first thing that you will want to do when applying at Walden University is to contact an academic advisor.

They will be able to guide you to exactly what you want from this university, and help you streamline the application process.

After you have spoken with an academic advisor and learned how to apply, you will need to submit your transcripts from high school or previous education as well as any employment history.

Credit transferring is available for students who have experience at other universities.

You may also get credits for work experience if you have worked in a relevant field.

Once you have submitted your application it may take about a week to hear back about your acceptance status.

Fees

There are many great options for tuition costs at Walden University.

Some programs have accelerated rates which will only take about two years to finish.

These programs typically cost $22,330 while the four year programs cost $46,175.

There are scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities available for qualified students.

Since this is an online school, students don’t have to worry about paying for room and board, which means saving money on tuition.

Contact Information

  • Address: 7080 Samuel Morse Dr. Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21046
  • Phone: 866-492-5336
  • Website: www.waldenu.edu

8Johnson and Wales University

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

You may want to head on to the other side of the United States for your education, and that’s great because you’ll find Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island and North Carolina.

This private school has been around for over 100 year and is still going strong across the United States.

People from around the world come here to receive top-notch education that is built on research and scholarship.

Luckily, there are also some great online programs for Alaska residents who don’t want to leave their home state in order to enroll at Johnson and Wales.

Among the many online and on-campus programs available here, there is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

The Public Health degree asks students how to make healthcare accessible and equal for all types of diverse populations, and within the program you will find out the answer.

Through evidence-based teaching and classmate support, students gain access to skills required to perform healthcare and biological duties in courses like:

  • Mindfulness for Health and Well-being
  • Comparative Healthcare Systems
  • Introduction to Health Professions
  • Data and Evidence in Health

Graduates from Johnson and Wales University have significantly impacted the healthcare system in local communities as well as around the world in careers that include:

  • Infectious Disease Analyst
  • Disease Ecologist
  • Health Journalist
  • Health Education Programmer

Enrollment

It is fairly simple to apply to Johnson and Wales University.

The first thing that you will want to do is head over to the website and fill out an application.

In order to finish up your application, you will need to provide some important information to the school:

  • Transcripts from high school or previous education
  • Resume

Students are required to have at least 2 years of relevant job experience to be accepted at this university, and a resume is required to be submitted with your application.

There are no late fees as the school has classes that start year round.

Fees

Students will pay $39,792 per year to attend full time.

When you add housing, books, and room and board, this number will go up, speak to an academic advisor about the costs of additional amenities.

Since it takes four years to finish a Bachelors degree, the average graduate of Johnson and Wales University pays $159,168.

Contact Information

  • Address: 8 Abbot Park Place Providence, RI 02903
  • Phone: 800-342-5598
  • Website: www.jwu.edu

9University of Arizona

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

Alaska residents are welcome to attend one of the largest public schools in the state of Arizona, the University of Arizona.

Located in Tucson, the climate may be a change from the Alaskan tundra-feel, but the change of pace may be good for some.

However, if you don’t feel like heading to one of the hottest states in the United States, the University of Arizona does have an online degree that you can earn from home.

If you love biology, chemistry, and helping your community, then one of the 150 majors available at this great school may spark your interest, and that is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

You’ll love the fact that not only do you learn how to prevent disease and make the world a healthier place, but you also get the work with your hands and implement those changes in your community.

Along with general education classes, students in the program will partake in some required courses like:

  • Drugs and Society
  • Health Education Intervention Methods
  • Health Disparities
  • Minority Health

Another requirement for graduation is an internship, which can provide real-world experience that students will need to jumpstart their career.

Graduation is a big step in the lives of college students, but another big milestone is that first job, and life-long careers in Public Health are available, including:

  • Family Services Specialist
  • Wellness Consultant
  • Health Coach
  • Environmental Health Educator

Enrollment

One of the great things about the University of Arizona is that you can enroll anywhere, online, locally, in-person and even internationally.

Another wonderful aspect of this school is that the application and enrollment process is fairly simple.

It shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to complete the application if you have all the necessary paperwork ready to go.

A non-refundable $50 application fee is required to submit your application.

There are deadlines throughout the year, so pay attention to when your application is due so you don’t miss out on important school notices.

In order to finish your application, you will need to provide the following information:

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

Once you have finished all this and submitted your paperwork, you may need to wait a week or two before an academic advisor reaches out to you for the next step, signing up for classes.

Fees

Attendants of the University of Arizona who are residents of the state will pay $13,200 per year.

It takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, so the average Arizona graduate pays $52,800.

Out of state learners will pay $39,600 per year to attend this school which ends up costing about $158,400 upon graduation.

Students have the opportunity to take out grants, scholarships, and financial aid in order to cover the costs of their education.

Contact Information


10University of Michigan-Flint

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

At the University of Michigan in Flint student happiness and wellness are top priority.

This small, river-front, campus is a regional school that is an offshoot of the larger University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Residents of Alaska will love the smaller campus here, with only about 10,000 students in attendance, and an abundance of great programs to enroll in.

Not only that, but there is an online program so you won’t even need to leave home to attend classes.

One of the best programs here is the Public Health Bachelors degree.

The research-focused university provides accredited and up-to-date curriculum so that students can get the best out of their education, no matter where they are from or plan to go in the future.

It takes 124 credit hours, or about four years, to finish the Public Health Bachelors degree at the University of Michigan in Flint.

Within those 124 credit hours, there are 117 required class hours which include:

  • Health Behavior Theory for Public Health
  • Cultural Competence in Healthcare
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

After completing all of the required courses and 17 hours worth of electives, you’ll be on your way to a successful graduation.

Completing your degree at the University of Michigan in Flint gives you opportunities to work in Public Health in careers like:

  • Family Services Specialist
  • Community Organizer
  • Youth Outreach Coordinator
  • Clinical Research Specialist

Enrollment

First year freshman, international students, and returning students are all welcome to apply to the University of Michigan in Flint.

Head to the website to begin your online application.

There are some things that you will need to submit along with your application, such as:

  •  SAT or ACT scores
  • Official transcripts

Transfer students need to provide proof of credits earned from previous universities.

International students must submit their English Proficiency Exam scores along with their application.

Before being accepted to the university, there are some criteria that all prospective students must meet:

  • Have at least a 2.7 high school GPA
  • Provide a high school diploma

Honors program students will need to have at least a 3.7 GPA.

After submitting your application, you should hear back from the school within two weeks.

Fees

On average, residents of Michigan pay $12,234 per semester to attend the University of Michigan in Flint.

It takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, which adds up to $48,936 after graduation.

If you are not from Michigan, you will pay $24,450 a year which comes out to $97,800 in total upon graduation.

Housing and meal plans are not added to these numbers as they change frequently and should be spoken to with an academic advisor.

Financial aid and scholarships are available here for qualified students.

Contact Information

  • Address: 330 East Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48502
  • Phone: 810-760-3300
  • Website: www.umflint.edu

Final Thoughts

Even though Alaska doesn’t have any Public Health Bachelors degrees, this list should help you narrow down your options.

Whether you want to attend a school on the West coast of the United States, the East coast, or even online, there is something here for everyone.

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.