2027 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for general public health students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in general public health in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,653. Set against $22,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for general public health. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $57,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,220 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $51,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $31,016 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $48,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #6 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $48,125 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global placed #7 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $55,250 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #9 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $24,925. General Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $54,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for general public health. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,262. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #12 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in general public health this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #14 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $63,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,657. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $58,230. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #16 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,981. General Public Health graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $73,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #17 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $60,435. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $38,781. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $48,552. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #21 for value in general public health this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $54,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in general public health this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $58,009. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo placed #23 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Illinois State University placed #25 among the best values for general public health. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $59,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general public health value ranking:
Narrow General Public Health Schools by State
More General Public Health Rankings
View All General Public Health Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 43 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.
