2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in California
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public health education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general public health schools.
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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $40,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general public health. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. 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. General Public Health graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $48,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #3 place for general public health. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $54,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,480 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,362. Set against $13,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos landed the #9 spot for general public health value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,527. Early-career general public health graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in general public health this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,280 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,285. General Public Health graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $51,370 early in their careers. Set against $17,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Merced landed the #13 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,502. Early-career general public health graduates make about $36,555. Set against $15,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $64,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #15 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $16,097. Early-career general public health graduates make about $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #16 for value in general public health this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,339. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $11,729. General Public Health graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $63,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot for general public health value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,273. Early-career general public health graduates make about $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $14,404. Early-career general public health graduates make about $52,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #21 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,812 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,784. Set against $13,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University College came in at #22 for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,360. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $35,625. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University College generally make around $66,387.
Ashford University placed #23 among the best values for general public health. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Students borrow a median of $39,515 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $48,441. That is a strong return on a $39,515 median debt.
Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science placed #24 among the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,250. General Public Health graduates of Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $55,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
National University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $37,469 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general public health value ranking:
More General Public Health Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
