2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public health students.
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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among general public health schools in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,220 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $51,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,220 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,987. General Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $74,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,987 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $54,701 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general public health. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $45,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,678 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in general public health this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #8 position for value in general public health this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $30,750. General Public Health graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $57,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #9 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $48,125. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Global placed #10 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $36,778. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $60,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Central Michigan University landed the #12 spot for general public health value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general public health this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $58,009. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #14 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $58,230 early in their careers. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #16 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $63,255. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $48,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,378. General Public Health graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $54,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #19 for value in general public health this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $32,807. Early-career general public health graduates make about $52,113. Set against $32,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $38,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Toledo earned the #21 position for value in general public health this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,771. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $28,884. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $45,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $66,933 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $52,298. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in general public health this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $37,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general public health:
Narrow General Public Health Schools by State
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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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
