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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Southwest Region

28 Colleges in the United States
$24,987 Avg Student Debt
$54,857 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Public Health Badge [General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for general public health students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Public Health Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in general public health in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

2

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #4 place for general public health. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,885 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $33,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,885 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #5 place for general public health. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,328 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $44,621. Set against $23,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

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6

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for general public health value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $31,844. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

7
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $53,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $25,044. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,083. That is a strong return on a $25,044 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9
Dine College crest
Dine College
Tsaile, AZ

Dine College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Dine College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tsaile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Dine College generally make around $20,227.

10

Northeastern State University earned the #10 position for value in general public health this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $41,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

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11

The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $20,959. General Public Health graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

13

University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Northern Arizona University earned the #14 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $41,561. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $20,108. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $37,043. That is a strong return on a $20,108 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Arizona landed the #16 spot for general public health value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,699 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $48,651 early in their careers. Set against $21,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

17

American Intercontinental University Online landed the #17 spot for general public health value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $39,107 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in general public health this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

19

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

20

Sam Houston State University landed the #20 spot for general public health value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,818 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $34,019. That is a strong return on a $26,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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21

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,710. Early-career general public health graduates make about $35,564. Set against $26,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #22 for value in general public health this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $21,500. General Public Health graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $35,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

23

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #23 spot for general public health value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $69,574. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

Texas A And M University College Station placed #24 among the best values for general public health. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,856 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $54,497 early in their careers. Set against $18,856 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $31,000. General Public Health graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $37,319 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 30 Best Value General Public Health Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general public health this year:

26
27
28
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX
29
30

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Notes and References

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 · 53 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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