[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3877 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $95,437. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $18,693. Early-career health professions graduates make about $101,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for health professions. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,688 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $60,720 early in their careers. Set against $17,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,342 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $41,880. Set against $13,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $14,680 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $72,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,139. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $75,203. Set against $16,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #7 position for value in health professions this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #8 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,565 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,482. That is a strong return on a $17,565 median debt.
Cuny Queens College placed #9 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,752 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $42,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #10 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $18,314. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $83,080. Set against $18,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton placed #11 among the best values for health professions. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,402 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $85,911. Set against $16,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,750. Early-career health professions graduates make about $75,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #13 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,403 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $119,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #14 spot for health professions value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,164 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $74,261. Set against $12,164 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
St Petersburg College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $20,758 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $61,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #16 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,233. Early-career health professions graduates make about $80,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #17 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $19,241. Early-career health professions graduates make about $75,342. Set against $19,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Santa Ana College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,469. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $102,428 early in their careers. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Brazosport College came in at #20 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #21 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #22 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $69,701. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,396 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College landed the #24 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,181 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $54,239. That is a strong return on a $10,181 median debt.
University Of Florida Online placed #25 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,243 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $67,906 early in their careers. Set against $19,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 3877 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1036 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).
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) 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.
