by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public health students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general public health, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,541 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $38,102. Set against $14,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for general public health. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,048 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $30,128. Set against $13,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for general public health. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,322 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $62,143 early in their careers. Set against $17,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $50,902. That is a strong return on a $23,396 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Governors University earned it the #5 place for general public health. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,277. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
University Of Wyoming placed #6 among the best values for general public health. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $85,547. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #7 for value in general public health this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $76,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,924 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $29,025 early in their careers. Set against $10,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for value in general public health this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $47,787. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
The University Of Montana landed the #11 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,615 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $37,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University placed #13 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,758 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $51,323 early in their careers. Set against $22,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.