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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in California

30 Ranked Colleges
5,117 Degrees Awarded
$11,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 40,596 people earned their degree in public health, making the major the 26th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public health graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,158 and had an average of $27,396 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 5,117 public health graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,454 and $19,528 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered a degree in public health. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public health programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public health program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 32 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,581 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Public Health at Stanford

2

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 477 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Health at University of California - Berkeley

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 203 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,891 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 221 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $2,701 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Public Health Report

5

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 325 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,821 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Public Health Report

6

University of California - San Diego ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 350 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

UCSD also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,176 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSD.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Public Health at UCSD

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 526 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UC Irvine Public Health Report

8

California State University - Northridge ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 492 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUN has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,103 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUN.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at California State University - Northridge

9

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Stan State

10

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 13 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $4,655 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fresno Public Health Report

11

California State University - Sacramento landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 139 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Sac State

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 225 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at SDSU

13
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 308 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Public Health at USC

14
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 298 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,378 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State Public Health Report

15

University of California - Davis ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at UC Davis

16

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,573 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSULB Public Health Report

17

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $6,613 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Public Health Report

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 50 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $10,348 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSUSM Public Health Report

19

California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 56 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $13,040 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Chico State

20

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 168 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Merced has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Merced is $11,400 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Merced Public Health Report

21
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Santa Clara, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public health degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

SCU also made our “Best Public Health Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Santa Clara University is $23,508 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Santa Clara University

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #22, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $11,862 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU Public Health Report

23

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,326 for California Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CDU.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at CDU

24
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public health degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal Baptist is $22,162 for california public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Baptist University Public Health Report

25

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Notes and References

References

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