[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public health education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 294 schools to find the best return on investment for general public health students.
Finding the Best Value General Public Health School for You
Where you study general public health affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Public Health Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Public Health Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,149. Early-career general public health graduates make about $51,772. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $30,111. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $42,481. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $54,044. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for general public health value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,414. Early-career general public health graduates make about $52,104. Set against $15,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #9 for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #10 for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $48,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middlesex County College came in at #11 for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #13 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $8,858. General Public Health graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Texas A And M International University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #15 position for value in general public health this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #17 spot for general public health value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,653. That is a strong return on a $22,987 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #18 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,203 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $75,293. Set against $16,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #19 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $14,448 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $34,948. Set against $14,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,527. General Public Health graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #21 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,480 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,362 early in their careers. Set against $13,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #22 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,280. Early-career general public health graduates make about $39,144. Set against $15,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #23 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Utah Valley University earned the #24 position for value in general public health this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,541 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $38,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #25 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,345. Early-career general public health graduates make about $65,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general public health value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 294 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 294 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).
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public health education at a price that pays off.
