2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southwest 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
Texas A And M International University tops our 2027 list of the best value public health schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #3 place for public health. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,885 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $33,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #5 place for public health. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,620. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #7 among the best values for public health. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #8 among the best values for public health. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,328 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $44,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,328 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Arizona Western College earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Public Health graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,119. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Dine College earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,410. Early-career public health graduates make about $20,227.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #12 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northeastern State University earned the #13 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,464. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,457. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,108 in student loans. Public Health graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $37,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #15 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $41,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in public health this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,044 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #17 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $35,323. Public Health graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #18 for value in public health this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $69,574. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for public health value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for public health value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,699. Public Health graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $48,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
American Intercontinental University Online earned the #22 position for value in public health this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $39,107. Public Health graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University came in at #23 for value in public health this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,818. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $34,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #24 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,710. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $35,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for public health value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public health:
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
