by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Turtle Mountain Community College this year. Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Belcourt. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $32,079 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williston State College earned it the #2 place for health professions. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Students borrow a median of $21,968 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $60,944 early in their careers. Set against $21,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public school located in the rural area of Bottineau. Students from in state pay about $5,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $28,182 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $71,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Bismarck State College one of the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,281. Health Professions graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $66,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt.
Valley City State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
North Dakota State College Of Science ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Students borrow a median of $29,655 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $58,883. That is a strong return on a $29,655 median debt.
Mayville State University earned the #7 position for value in health professions this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $77,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,111 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $72,153. Set against $27,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Region State College came in at #9 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,520 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,121 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,214. That is a strong return on a $27,121 median debt.
Dickinson State University placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $30,827. Health Professions graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $68,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,540. Early-career health professions graduates make about $84,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,789 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $80,968. That is a strong return on a $27,789 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota landed the #13 spot for health professions value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $26,229. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $129,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Fargo, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a small private for-profit institution. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from The Salon Professional Academy Fargo generally make around $24,541. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jamestown College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jamestown. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Jamestown College generally make around $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
