2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Epidemiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/epidemiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for epidemiology students.
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2026 Best Value Epidemiology Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is North Dakota State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for epidemiology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Epidemiology graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Epidemiology graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for epidemiology. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $24,000. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $49,410. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in epidemiology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the epidemiology program here. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #4 place for epidemiology. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $21,818. Epidemiology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place for epidemiology. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the epidemiology program here. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value epidemiology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for epidemiology graduates is $17,553. Early-career epidemiology graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for epidemiology. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the epidemiology program here. Soon after graduation, epidemiology degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
