2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in Tennessee
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Our analysis ranked Roane State Community College the best value for a degree in public health in Tennessee. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,315. Early-career public health graduates make about $52,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for public health. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,758. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $30,321. That is a strong return on a $27,758 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #4 place for public health. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $29,489. Public Health graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $22,299 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
South College earned the #8 position for value in public health this year. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,535. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Public Health graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Public Health graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University placed #10 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,447. Public Health graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
More Public Health Rankings
View All Public Health Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
