by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general public health schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among general public health schools in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $106,623. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,000. General Public Health graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $50,613 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for general public health. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $49,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at Boston University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $68,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes American International College one of the best values for general public health. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $66,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Simmons College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $45,331. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Regis College came in at #7 for value in general public health this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $42,638. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Curry College came in at #8 for value in general public health this year. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,570. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,571. Early-career general public health graduates make about $59,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #9 position for value in general public health this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $32,920. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #10 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,611. General Public Health graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $65,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Tufts University landed the #11 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.