About Public Health at Columbia University
Public health focuses on preventing disease and improving population health through epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, global health and environmental health.
At Columbia University (QS World University Rankings 2026: #38) in New York City, Public Health is one of the subject areas international students choose most. Columbia is an Ivy League university in Upper Manhattan and the oldest institution of higher education in New York State.
Degree levels for Public Health
- MPH — typical length in the US: 2 years (full-time)
- PhD — typical length in the US: usually 5–6 years
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Public Health at Columbia
- Master’s / PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, recommendations, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE. PhD applicants should show research experience and interests.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Public Health are set separately by the school. PhD students are usually funded through fellowships and teaching or research assistantships. Need-based financial aid for some international undergraduates (need-aware admission); graduate funding through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Some programs in this field are STEM-designated — check the program’s CIP code to see if the STEM OPT extension applies.
Apply for Public Health at Columbia with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Public Health at Columbia University.
