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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, our #1 best value for public health in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,578. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $23,578 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #2 place for public health. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,513. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,176. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,250. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,998. Public Health graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,949 early in their careers. Set against $26,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
La Salle University placed #6 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $39,400. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for public health value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Seton Hill University landed the #8 spot for public health value this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,556 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,485. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Francis University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,388. Public Health graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $63,097. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,496 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Temple University landed the #12 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $51,129. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #13 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $32,256. Public Health graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,921. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College placed #15 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,038 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $20,900. That is a strong return on a $26,038 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University landed the #16 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,426. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Public Health graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $30,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in public health this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,758 early in their careers. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #20 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,875. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,134. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Lehigh University landed the #21 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Duquesne University came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,297. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,826. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Drexel University came in at #23 for value in public health this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,059. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,933. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,402 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,496. That is a strong return on a $26,402 median debt. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences admits about 41% of applicants.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.