[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 894 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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Finding the Best Value Public Health School for You
Where you study public health affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Public Health Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Health Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for public health in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,750. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for public health. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,414. Public Health graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,414 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $48,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,580. Public Health graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $51,772. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
St Petersburg College came in at #12 for value in public health this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,565. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,000. Public Health graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $54,044 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $8,858. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Indian River State College placed #15 among the best values for public health. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online landed the #17 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,056. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Cuny York College placed #19 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,000. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex County College came in at #20 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach earned the #21 position for value in public health this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,480 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,362 early in their careers. Set against $13,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,112. Public Health graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
California State University Sacramento ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #24 for value in public health this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,490. Public Health graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $46,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Capital Community College placed #25 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 894 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 378 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).
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
