2027 Best Value Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/occupational-health-and-industrial-hygiene/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for occupational health and industrial hygiene students.
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2027 Best Value Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in occupational health and industrial hygiene, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Schools
For return on investment in occupational health and industrial hygiene, no school beat Oakland University this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Occupational Health And Industrial Hygiene graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career occupational health and industrial hygiene graduates make about $57,173. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in occupational health and industrial hygiene will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for occupational health and industrial hygiene graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, occupational health and industrial hygiene degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Toledo earned it the #3 place for occupational health and industrial hygiene. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Occupational Health And Industrial Hygiene graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career occupational health and industrial hygiene graduates make about $52,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for occupational health and industrial hygiene. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the occupational health and industrial hygiene program here. Soon after graduation, occupational health and industrial hygiene degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $59,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in occupational health and industrial hygiene, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the occupational health and industrial hygiene program here. Early-career occupational health and industrial hygiene graduates make about $37,883. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in occupational health and industrial hygiene this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for occupational health and industrial hygiene graduates is $28,625. Occupational Health And Industrial Hygiene graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $55,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.