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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general public health schools.
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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.
Columbia Southern University earned the #1 spot for value among general public health schools in Alabama. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,447. Early-career general public health graduates make about $58,278. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned it the #2 place for general public health. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $44,505. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $35,698. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Samford University earned it the #4 place for general public health. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,039. General Public Health graduates of Samford University earn a median of $57,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.