2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public health education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 102 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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among general public health schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for general public health. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,414 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,414 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for general public health. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bronx Community College earned it the #5 place for general public health. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #7 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #8 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #9 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #10 for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,424. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,440. That is a strong return on a $23,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Howard Community College earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $56,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general public health. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $30,904. Early-career general public health graduates make about $55,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Montclair State University placed #13 among the best values for general public health. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $47,735. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #14 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #15 for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $35,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #16 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $15,500. Early-career general public health graduates make about $66,959. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Trinity Washington University placed #20 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $31,194. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Stony Brook University placed #21 among the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $64,289. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Morgan State University earned the #22 position for value in general public health this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $30,309 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $58,384. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,258. General Public Health graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $73,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Delaware State University earned the #24 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,670, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $41,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,086. General Public Health graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $55,012 early in their careers. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general public health this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
