2026 Best Value Public Health Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 894 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for public health in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,750. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $62,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,414. 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. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for public health. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,580. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,905. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $69,076. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,480 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,844. Set against $13,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Stanford University came in at #7 for value in public health this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #8 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #9 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #10 for value in public health this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Public Health graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $67,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,345 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $58,339. That is a strong return on a $22,345 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best values for public health. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $17,285 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,277. That is a strong return on a $17,285 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,280 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,322 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $82,624. That is a strong return on a $17,322 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,987. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $67,936. Set against $22,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #16 spot for public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $53,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in public health this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $75,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #19 spot for public health value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $70,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #21 spot for public health value this year. 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. Early-career public health graduates make about $60,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #23 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,220 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $61,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $55,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $85,547. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public health value ranking:
Other Public Health Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Health rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Health Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 894 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 235 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.
