2027 Best Value General Public Health Master’s Degree Schools
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 223 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 United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among general public health schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general public health. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $14,000. Early-career general public health graduates make about $69,076. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,580. Early-career general public health graduates make about $54,905. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $62,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $16,097. Early-career general public health graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $15,414 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,952. Set against $15,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #7 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $67,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for value in general public health this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, 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 $60,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,492. Early-career general public health graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #10 spot for general public health value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $13,480. Early-career general public health graduates make about $67,844. That is a strong return on a $13,480 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #13 among the best values for general public health. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,322. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $82,624. Set against $17,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #14 spot for general public health value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $58,339. Set against $22,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $11,729. General Public Health graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $63,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,280 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $39,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #17 among the best values for general public health. 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. Early-career general public health graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,677. General Public Health graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $67,270 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $53,193. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida State University earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,953. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #21 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $51,772. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #22 for value in general public health this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $70,125. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,220 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $61,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,220 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #24 position for value in general public health this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $64,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general public health this year:
Other General Public Health Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general public health schools at other degree levels:
View All General Public Health Rankings >
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 · 223 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 223 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.
