2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Southeast Region

[Epidemiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/epidemiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value epidemiology schools.
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2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in epidemiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Epidemiology Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among epidemiology schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $17,669. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for epidemiology. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $15,117. Epidemiology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $80,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in epidemiology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $15,977. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Emory University came in at #6 for value in epidemiology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $19,431. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $66,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,896 to complete the epidemiology program here. Epidemiology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $40,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Miami placed #8 among the best values for epidemiology. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $33,455. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #9 position for value in epidemiology this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $54,450. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.