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 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 18 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Indian River State College the best value for a degree in public health in Florida. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,492. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $29,125. Public Health graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $51,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,481. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #4 place for public health. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Florida State College one of the best values for public health. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $34,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,345 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida came in at #8 for value in public health this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $67,270 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,503. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,295 in student loans. 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%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #12 among the best values for public health. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,824. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,433. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Florida National University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,368. Public Health graduates carry a median of $37,641 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $42,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,641 median debt.
Everglades University landed the #14 spot for public health value this year. Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $21,680. Students borrow a median of $48,300 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Everglades University earn a median of $33,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Everglades University admits about 82% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University placed #15 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $61,030 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $44,499. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $39,815. That is a strong return on a $44,499 median debt. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Tampa came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,408. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $34,416. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami placed #18 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $69,067. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.