by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Columbia Southern University tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in Alabama. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,447. Early-career public health graduates make about $58,278. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,505. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at The University Of Alabama, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $35,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Samford University one of the best values for public health. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $57,501. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.