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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Associate’s Degree Schools

38 Colleges in the United States
$14,946 Avg Student Debt
$38,450 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Associate's Degree Badge [Health/Medical Prep Programs](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 463 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health/medical prep programs students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health/medical prep programs degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools

1

Leading the list is Fayetteville Technical Community College, our #1 best value for health/medical prep programs in the United States. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

Students looking for strong value in health/medical prep programs will find it at San Juan College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #3 place for health/medical prep programs. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $9,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $26,596. Set against $9,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Students looking for strong value in health/medical prep programs will find it at Grayson College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Students looking for strong value in health/medical prep programs will find it at Coahoma Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $21,070 early in their careers. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $14,949. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Hudson County Community College earned the #7 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Western Nebraska Community College earned the #8 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #9 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.

10

Tulsa Community College came in at #10 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $18,744. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $30,605. That is a strong return on a $18,744 median debt.

11

Holmes Community College landed the #11 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $11,000. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $21,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

12
Snow College crest
Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.

13

East Mississippi Community College earned the #13 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $8,375 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Truckee Meadows Community College placed #14 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $12,290. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.

15

Mendocino College landed the #15 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Set in the rural area of Ukiah, Mendocino College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,423, compared with $10,003 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Mendocino College generally make around $81,203. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College placed #16 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Atlantic Cape Community College placed #17 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,867 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $29,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,867 median debt.

18

Palau Community College earned the #18 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in Koror, PW, Palau Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,730, compared with $3,970 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $29,898 ten years out.

19
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.

20
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Hill College landed the #20 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $13,925 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.

21

Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #21 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #22 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.

23
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College came in at #23 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,726, compared with $6,176 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $15,183. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Galveston College generally make around $51,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Northeast Community College placed #24 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $14,068 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $32,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,068 median debt.

25

Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $30,293. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health/medical prep programs:

26
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY
27
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
28
29
30
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX
31
32
33
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK
34
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
35
36
37
38
South College crest
South College
Knoxville, TN
39
Manor College crest
Manor College
Jenkintown, PA
40

Other Health/Medical Prep Programs Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Health/Medical Prep Programs rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Health/Medical Prep Programs
Bachelor's Degrees in Health/Medical Prep Programs
Master's Degrees in Health/Medical Prep Programs
View All Health/Medical Prep Programs Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 463 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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