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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

43 Ranked Colleges
2,527 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 the Plains States region, there were 2,527 public health graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,279 and $29,386 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public health. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public health programs that also have a lower cost than 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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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 136 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $2,446 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Health at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 199 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at UMN Twin Cities

3
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, Truman State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $8,898 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Truman State University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $8,697 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at UMN Duluth

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 207 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $15,508 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Public Health at University of Iowa

6

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 158 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for plains states region 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 89%. 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%.

Read more about Public Health at Mizzou

7

Missouri Southern State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri Southern State University is $7,731 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Health at Missouri Southern

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 34 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $13,151 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at University of North Dakota

9

With a ranking of #9, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 34 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for plains states region 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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Public Health Report

10

Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ozarks Technical Community College is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Ozarks Technical Community College is $6,851 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Health at Ozarks Technical Community College

11

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 12 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Public Health Report

12

University of Northern Iowa came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $13,175 for plains states region 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Northern Iowa

13

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $12,263 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Public Health Report

14
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,825 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Public Health Report

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #15, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 35 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,288 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Public Health at KU

16
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

Winona State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $12,963 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State Public Health Report

17

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,294 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Nebraska at Omaha

18
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Saint Louis Community College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,142 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Read more about Public Health at Saint Louis Community College

19
Three Rivers College crest
Three Rivers College
Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Three Rivers College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Three Rivers College is located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,567 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Three Rivers College.

Full Three Rivers College Public Health Report

20
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 5 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,377 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Bemidji State University

21

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, SMU MN has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,493 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SMU MN.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Public Health Report

22
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $17,294 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 University of South Dakota Public Health Report

23
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 78 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Kate’s has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,209 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Kate’s.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 St Catherine University

24

With a ranking of #24, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 39 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $12,971 for plains states region public health students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full ESU Public Health Report

25
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,008 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

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%.

Full Lindenwood University Public Health Report

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