2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Far Western Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for general public health students.
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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $40,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general public health. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #3 place for general public health. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for general public health. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,149. General Public Health graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for general public health. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,695. Early-career general public health graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $54,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #7 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,480 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $50,362. Set against $13,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. 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%.
University Of Alaska Southeast placed #9 among the best values for general public health. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alaska Southeast admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #10 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $39,144. Set against $15,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University East Bay landed the #11 spot for general public health value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Stanford University came in at #12 for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $10,492. General Public Health graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general public health. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #14 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,285 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $51,370 early in their careers. Set against $17,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Tacoma Community College came in at #15 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $41,732. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #16 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,181. General Public Health graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $60,071 early in their careers. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Merced came in at #17 for value in general public health this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,502. Early-career general public health graduates make about $36,555. That is a strong return on a $15,502 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,024. Early-career general public health graduates make about $64,055. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #19 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $58,071. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #20 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #21 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Portland State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $36,762. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $40,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Washington University placed #24 among the best values for general public health. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $54,916. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #25 among the best values for general public health. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $11,729 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general public health this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
