2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in New York
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public health education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for general public health students.
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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for general public health in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. 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. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for general public health. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,414 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #6 for value in general public health this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in general public health this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $30,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $55,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Stony Brook University landed the #8 spot for general public health value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $64,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,258. Early-career general public health graduates make about $73,074. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #10 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Albany came in at #11 for value in general public health this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $55,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #12 among the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for general public health. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $61,734 early in their careers. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Albany, Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,125. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences generally make around $71,648. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Bonaventure University placed #16 among the best values for general public health. Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,735. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $43,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,917 median debt. Saint Bonaventure University admits about 82% of applicants.
Saint John Fisher College earned the #17 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,190. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,086. General Public Health graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of $55,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Adelphi University placed #18 among the best values for general public health. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,487. General Public Health graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Hartwick College came in at #19 for value in general public health this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Hartwick College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,962. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Hartwick College generally make around $41,061. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. Hartwick College admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Rochester came in at #20 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Nazareth College earned the #21 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,000. General Public Health graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $46,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #22 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,133 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $75,976. Set against $12,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
New York University earned the #23 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,000. General Public Health graduates of New York University earn a median of $52,113 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University came in at #24 for value in general public health this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $51,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #25 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $43,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
