[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 407 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public health schools.
Finding the Best Value Public Health School for You
The public health program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Public Health Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Health Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public health in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $47,444. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for public health. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,813. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,414. Public Health graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,104 early in their careers. Set against $15,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,111. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College placed #7 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida earned the #8 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indian River State College earned the #10 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield placed #11 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,492. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University earned the #13 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,095. Public Health graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
St Petersburg College came in at #14 for value in public health this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $51,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $48,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
University Of Florida Online ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #18 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #19 position for value in public health this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny York College came in at #21 for value in public health this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $43,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Fresno came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,448. Public Health graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Foothill College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College placed #24 among the best values for public health. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #25 position for value in public health this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public health:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 407 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 407 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).
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health education at a price that pays off.
