[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) 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 530 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general public health schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Public Health School for You
Where you study general public health affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value General Public Health Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Public Health Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #2. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for general public health. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $48,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $54,044 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in general public health this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,414. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in general public health this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,772 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #9 for value in general public health this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #10 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $8,858. Early-career general public health graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #11 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $13,480. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,362. That is a strong return on a $13,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Middlesex County College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #16 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanford University placed #17 among the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #18 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,280. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $39,144. That is a strong return on a $15,280 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #19 for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,345. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Alaska Southeast placed #22 among the best values for general public health. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,458 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $63,014. Set against $20,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alaska Southeast admits about 63% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida placed #23 among the best values for general public health. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $67,270. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #24 spot for general public health value this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $44,443. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,285. Early-career general public health graduates make about $51,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general public health:
General Public Health is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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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 · 530 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 253 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).
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) 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.
