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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Health Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$27,081 Avg Student Debt
$53,266 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health Education Badge [Health Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/health-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for health education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Health Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health Education Schools

1

Western Illinois University tops our 2026 list of the best value health education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Health Education graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Health Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $50,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,746 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $26,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #3 place for health education. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $50,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

Eastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Health Education graduates carry a median of $28,866 in student loans. Health Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $38,821 early in their careers. Set against $28,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

5

Youngstown State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the health education program here. Early-career health education graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

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Wayne State University placed #6 among the best values for health education. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Health Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $45,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #7 position for value in health education this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Health Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for health education. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,816. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #9 for value in health education this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $29,000. Early-career health education graduates make about $52,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

10
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College earned the #10 position for value in health education this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Students borrow a median of $34,425 to complete the health education program here. Early-career health education graduates make about $55,790. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 for value in health education this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

12

Northern Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in health education this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Health Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

13

Illinois State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,102. That is a strong return on a $24,149 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

14

Western Michigan University landed the #14 spot for health education value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $29,000. Health Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

15

Kent State University At Kent came in at #15 for value in health education this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Health Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $47,727. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH

Muskingum University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,701. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $26,932. Early-career health education graduates make about $39,918. That is a strong return on a $26,932 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

17
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College landed the #17 spot for health education value this year. Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ripon. In-state tuition and fees average $51,900. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $26,973. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.

18

The University Of Findlay earned the #18 position for value in health education this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $25,759. Health Education graduates of The University Of Findlay earn a median of $57,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,759 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

19
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #19 position for value in health education this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the health education program here. Health Education graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Rio Grande ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Located in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,560. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $27,044. Health Education graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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