[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 259 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for public health in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $40,750. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #2. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $69,076. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $54,905. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,414 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,952. Set against $15,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $62,000. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,448. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $34,948. Set against $14,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento earned the #7 position for value in public health this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public health program here. 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 Illinois At Chicago landed the #8 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $67,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,987 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $75,311. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,203. Early-career public health graduates make about $60,926. Set against $16,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #12 position for value in public health this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,480 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,844. That is a strong return on a $13,480 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University landed the #14 spot for public health value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $17,322 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $82,624. That is a strong return on a $17,322 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career public health graduates make about $58,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #16 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,772 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #17 spot for public health value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,270. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #18 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,193. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #19 spot for public health value this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California San Diego placed #20 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,280. Public Health graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,280 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida State University earned the #21 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,488. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,953. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #23 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,729. Early-career public health graduates make about $63,661. That is a strong return on a $11,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $62,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #25 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $48,090. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public health:
The ranking above is published 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 · 259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 259 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
