2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/public-health-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 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 The Plains States Region
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
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $70,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,328 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $40,021. Set against $21,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Southeast Technical Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $62,420 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #5 place for general public health. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $24,408. General Public Health graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $23,546. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $49,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #8 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Capella University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $73,117. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of North Dakota came in at #10 for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for value in general public health this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $19,000. Early-career general public health graduates make about $53,368. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #12 position for value in general public health this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $69,785. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $22,469. Early-career general public health graduates make about $48,836. Set against $22,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #14 spot for general public health value this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $40,809. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $35,433. That is a strong return on a $40,809 median debt.
Union College Nebraska placed #15 among the best values for general public health. Union College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $29,334. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $30,938 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of Union College Nebraska earn a median of $75,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Union College Nebraska admits about 100% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $17,553. General Public Health graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $59,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general public health schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $29,815 to complete the general public health program here. Early-career general public health graduates make about $52,000. Set against $29,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University landed the #18 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,528. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University landed the #19 spot for general public health value this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,709. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Seward placed #20 among the best values for general public health. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $26,726. General Public Health graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $51,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for general public health value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,122 to complete the general public health program here. General Public Health graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $47,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for general public health. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general public health graduates make about $38,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
