2027 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public health students.
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2027 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $42,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $16,203 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $75,293 early in their careers. Set against $16,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,345 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $65,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,345 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $20,488. Early-career general public health graduates make about $43,953. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $67,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #6 for value in general public health this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #7 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $53,901. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for general public health. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,503. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,543 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Set against $23,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #11 for value in general public health this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,295. General Public Health graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $35,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,295 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #12 among the best values for general public health. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,999. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,921. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,500. Early-career general public health graduates make about $43,268. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,444. Early-career general public health graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Memphis landed the #15 spot for general public health value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,315. General Public Health graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $52,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #16 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,141 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $27,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi University For Women placed #17 among the best values for general public health. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $30,813. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #18 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University earned the #19 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $58,410. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #20 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $46,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #21 for value in general public health this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,253. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #22 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $43,076. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #23 position for value in general public health this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #24 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Columbia Southern University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,447. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $58,278. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general public health:
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Notes and References
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
