2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the New England 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 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 the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for general public health in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $16,616. Early-career general public health graduates make about $106,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $50,613. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #3. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $62,476. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Vermont earned it the #4 place for general public health. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $61,854. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $67,320 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College earned the #6 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $41,049. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #7 position for value in general public health this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,000. General Public Health graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $46,945 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $49,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Plymouth State University came in at #9 for value in general public health this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career general public health graduates make about $34,087. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport placed #10 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $56,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Boston University earn a median of $68,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #12 spot for general public health value this year. Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $13,365 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,012 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. Set against $27,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Simmons College placed #13 among the best values for general public health. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Yale University placed #14 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $14,357. General Public Health graduates of Yale University earn a median of $72,627 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
American International College came in at #15 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $31,000. General Public Health graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Dartmouth College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $81,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College placed #17 among the best values for general public health. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $42,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College landed the #18 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,570. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,571. General Public Health graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Set against $26,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #19 spot for general public health value this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,117. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $32,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northeastern University earned the #20 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,611. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $65,374. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #21 among the best values for general public health. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Students borrow a median of $34,162 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $52,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #22 among the best values for general public health. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of New England placed #23 among the best values for general public health. Located in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $65,170. Set against $26,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Roger Williams University landed the #24 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,197. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Roger Williams University generally make around $39,912. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fairfield University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,687. Early-career general public health graduates make about $66,305. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants.
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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 · 48 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.
