2027 Best Value Public Health Associate’s Degree Schools
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
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2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for public health. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Public Health graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #3 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, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Roane State Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Utah Valley University placed #8 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,541 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $38,102. Set against $14,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for public health. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System came in at #11 for value in public health this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Public Health graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $36,794 early in their careers. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Southeast landed the #12 spot for public health value this year. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,458. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Dine College landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,410 in tuition and fees. Early-career public health graduates make about $20,227.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach came in at #15 for value in public health this year. Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,752. Students borrow a median of $30,312 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $33,828. Set against $30,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #16 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,578 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,578 median debt.
Bryant And Stratton College Online earned the #17 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,274. Students borrow a median of $30,312 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Online earn a median of $33,828 early in their careers. Set against $30,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida National University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for public health value this year. Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hialeah. Students from in state pay about $17,368 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,585 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $37,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,585 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $28,625. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,859. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #20 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,866 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
Uei College Gardena earned the #21 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Gardena, Uei College Gardena is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Uei College Gardena generally make around $25,388. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Other Public Health Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public health schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Health Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
