Biostatistics
Master of Public Health Option
Applications reviewed on Dec 1 (Priority), March 1 and June 1 (Final).
Use stats in real life
Biostatistics, the basis of all public health and medical research, uses statistics to understand public health and health care challenges.
If you enjoy applying math to real-world problems, working across a variety of disciplines, finding patterns in data and contributing to wide-ranging public health research, biostatistics is for you.
Our public health programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate programs for 2025.
Forbes named biostatistics as the No. 1 best master’s degree for jobs.
Your experience as a biostatistics student
As a biostatistics student, you’ll learn to collect, organize and analyze data, then recommend decisions based on that analysis.
You’ll collaborate with your cohort and professors on projects that address topics such as genetic modeling, bone health, kidney disease and the links between stressful experiences, health, well-being and cognition.
Your future biostatistics faculty are experts in Bayesian statistics, spatial modeling, statistical genetics, high-dimensional data analysis, and latent variable and measurement error models, and often collaborate with other disciplines.
Prerequisites
If you’re applying to the biostatistics program, you must have successfully completed a calculus sequence including multivariable differential and integral calculus.
If you have not successfully completed this coursework prior to admission, you will be required to take prerequisite coursework during your first year.
MPH curriculum and coursework
The Oregon State MPH program requires approximately 60 credit hours (about 40 semester credits), does not require a thesis and culminates with an integrative learning experience.
You’ll get hands-on experience, build professional contacts and learn from experts in the field as part of a required 200-hour professional internship. You’ll be guided along the way by a dedicated MPH internship coordinator.
See which courses you'll take as a biostatistics student
What you'll learn as an MPH student
How you'll apply your knowledge
Biostatistics career options
You’ll be able to find work in health service organizations, academia, CDC and WHO field programs, research institutions, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies and more. Some of our graduates go on to medical school.
Sample careers:
- Biostatistician
- Consultant
- Data manager and analyst
- Policy research analyst
- Research coordinator
- Research analyst
- Statistical analyst
- Vital records professional
Affordability
Your graduate public health education is an investment in your future. We understand you must weigh the cost and benefits of your graduate education.
OSU’s MPH options are among the most reasonably priced in the Pacific Northwest.
We have reduced the tuition cost by nearly $4,000 to help address affordability and reduce barriers for the future of public health.
The Oregon State MPH participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program. You may be eligible to save about $8,000 in tuition over the course of the program.
More information on tuition and funding.
Estimated costs
The MPH program is a 59-61 credit program that can be completed within 6 quarters on a full-time credit load (except for summer). Estimated costs for the whole program:
Resident
$31,591
Resident Tuition ($26,892)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Non-resident
$63,397
Non-resident Tuition ($58,698)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Western Regional Graduate Program
$45,037
WRGP Tuition ($40,338)
+ Fees ($4,699)
Tuition and fees estimates were calculated using the 23-24 academic year tuition and fees tables in combination with the tuition calculator. Please note, tuition and fees can change for the 24-25 academic year.
We’re here to help
For questions about the application process and requirements, contact College of Health graduate admissions.
To talk about curriculum and life as an MPH student, contact our MPH Administrative Director.
For academic or professional information specific to the Oregon State MPH biostatistics program, please contact the MPH Program Director Jonathan Garcia, PhD
Accreditation
In 2014, our college was accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health – the first in Oregon. This distinction provides our students with more resources, more opportunities to engage in research, and faculty experts who specialize in a variety of public health topics.