2026 Best Value General Public Health Schools in Missouri
[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 9 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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Health Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri State University Springfield the best value for a degree in general public health in Missouri. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the general public health program here. 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. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lindenwood University earned it the #2 place for general public health. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for general public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career general public health graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in general public health will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #3. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Public Health graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,368 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public health, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general public health program here. Soon after graduation, general public health degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $59,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for general public health. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. 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.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
