2027 Best Value Public Health Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Leading the list is Saint Louis Community College, our #1 best value for public health in the The Plains States Region. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,424. Public Health graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,241. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Truman State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,278. Public Health graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $30,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,278 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,328. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,021. Set against $21,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $70,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University placed #7 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $32,830. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for value in public health this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Technical Institute landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,442. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. That is a strong return on a $18,442 median debt.
Winona State University landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,250. Set against $20,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University placed #11 among the best values for public health. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #12 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $62,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Capella University earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Capella University earn a median of $73,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #15 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $40,809. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $35,433. That is a strong return on a $40,809 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #16 among the best values for public health. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,546. Public Health graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $49,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lindenwood University placed #18 among the best values for public health. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University came in at #19 for value in public health this year. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,815 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $52,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota placed #20 among the best values for public health. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $54,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #21 for value in public health this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,368. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,553. Public Health graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $59,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa placed #24 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,469. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $48,836. That is a strong return on a $22,469 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,122 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $47,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
