[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 440 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for health professions in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $15,463 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $60,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,623. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,851. Set against $10,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,048. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $51,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,742 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #5. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $23,163 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $65,061. Set against $23,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #6 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,793. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $61,093. Set against $10,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,673. Health Professions graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $59,150 early in their careers. Set against $14,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #8 for value in health professions this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,993 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $65,387. Set against $11,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,798 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,212. That is a strong return on a $15,798 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,460 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $66,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #11 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,207. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College landed the #12 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,436. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Danville Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,340. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $61,831. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Richland Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #15 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $11,428 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $54,906. That is a strong return on a $11,428 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #16 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $23,006 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,249. That is a strong return on a $23,006 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #17 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,383 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $44,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #18 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,102 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $61,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,102 median debt.
Muskegon Community College came in at #19 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $18,765 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $61,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,765 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #20 for value in health professions this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $54,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #21 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,495. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $63,015. That is a strong return on a $17,495 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #22 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,437 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #23 spot for health professions value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $24,564 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $93,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
South Suburban College placed #24 among the best values for health professions. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Students borrow a median of $8,307 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $51,492. Set against $8,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $15,640 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $63,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 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 · 440 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 440 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
