by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, 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. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,987. Early-career public health graduates make about $74,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #3 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, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the public health program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $57,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,220 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,863. That is a strong return on a $22,220 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $56,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,334. Public Health graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $43,356 early in their careers. Set against $27,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,125. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Global earned the #12 position for value in public health this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $36,778. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilberforce University earned the #13 position for value in public health this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Wilberforce University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,448 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $35,674. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,290. That is a strong return on a $35,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,701. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #15 among the best values for public health. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #16 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $36,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
National Louis University came in at #18 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,500. Early-career public health graduates make about $45,262. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,373. Early-career public health graduates make about $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #21 position for value in public health this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #23 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #24 among the best values for public health. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Cleveland State University landed the #25 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $63,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.