2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Far Western Region

[Epidemiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/epidemiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value epidemiology schools.
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2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the epidemiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Epidemiology Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,834 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $40,677. Set against $18,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for epidemiology. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in epidemiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Students looking for strong value in epidemiology will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $25,458. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $25,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for epidemiology value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $18,728. Set against $17,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for epidemiology value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $19,951. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $32,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #8 among the best values for epidemiology. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
California Baptist University placed #9 among the best values for epidemiology. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the epidemiology program here. Epidemiology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Southern California ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.