2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 98 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value public health schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for public health. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,565. That is a strong return on a $29,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for public health. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,056. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,203 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $75,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for public health. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $24,323. 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,345. Early-career public health graduates make about $65,148. That is a strong return on a $22,345 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Roane State Community College landed the #8 spot for public health value this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $9,408. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida International University placed #10 among the best values for public health. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,349. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,193. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Eastern Florida State College placed #11 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $34,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University placed #12 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $38,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College came in at #15 for value in public health this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,942. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System came in at #16 for value in public health this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,081. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,901. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida came in at #17 for value in public health this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University landed the #18 spot for public health value this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #19 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Western Kentucky University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,543. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $23,543 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #22 spot for public health value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #23 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,295 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Georgia came in at #24 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,268. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,048 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% 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:
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Notes and References
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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
