[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 279 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
Our analysis ranked California State University San Bernardino the best value for a degree in public health in the United States. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,772. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,444. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for public health. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,750. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,414 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,255. That is a strong return on a $15,414 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,580. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,056. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,000. Public Health graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $39,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for public health. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
St Petersburg College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,565. That is a strong return on a $29,125 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best values for public health. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $34,909. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,492. Public Health graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online placed #14 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,056. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #15 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College landed the #16 spot for public health value 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. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #18 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $46,016. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,203. Public Health graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $75,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,203 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,585. That is a strong return on a $22,987 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #22 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,280 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $39,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $33,575. Set against $22,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,541. Early-career public health graduates make about $38,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College placed #25 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $34,462 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 279 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
