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 11 schools to build this 2026 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.
Our analysis ranked Benedict College the best value for a degree in general public health in South Carolina. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,748. Students borrow a median of $39,254 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $25,769. That is a strong return on a $39,254 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Charleston Southern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,569 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Clemson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $64,396. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,764. Early-career general public health graduates make about $36,520. That is a strong return on a $23,764 median debt. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.