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2026 Best Value Community Health and Preventive Medicine Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
$19,534 Avg Student Debt
$55,086 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Community Health and Preventive Medicine Badge [Community Health and Preventive Medicine](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/community-health-and-preventive-medicine/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for community health and preventive medicine students.

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2026 Best Value Community Health and Preventive Medicine Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community health and preventive medicine, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Community Health and Preventive Medicine Schools

1
South Suburban College crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

Leading the list is South Suburban College, our #1 best value for community health and preventive medicine in Illinois. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $7,904 to complete the community health and preventive medicine program here. Early-career community health and preventive medicine graduates make about $42,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Students looking for strong value in community health and preventive medicine will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #2. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the community health and preventive medicine program here. Early-career community health and preventive medicine graduates make about $36,537. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for community health and preventive medicine. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the community health and preventive medicine program here. Community Health And Preventive Medicine graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

4

Eastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value community health and preventive medicine schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the community health and preventive medicine program here. Community Health And Preventive Medicine graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community health and preventive medicine, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the community health and preventive medicine program here. Early-career community health and preventive medicine graduates make about $48,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #6 position for value in community health and preventive medicine this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Community Health And Preventive Medicine graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community health and preventive medicine degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. That is a strong return on a $23,730 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

View All Community Health and Preventive Medicine Rankings >

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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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