2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $40,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $48,455. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #4 place for public health. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Public Health graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for public health value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,044. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.

11

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast placed #11 among the best values for public health. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,458. Early-career public health graduates make about $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

12

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #12 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $65,932. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,280 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

15

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #15 spot for public health value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,073. Public Health graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

16

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

17

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #18 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

19

Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Community College placed #19 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #20 among the best values for public health. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $17,285. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,370. Set against $17,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

21

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,181. Early-career public health graduates make about $60,071. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #22 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.

23

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced landed the #23 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Students borrow a median of $15,502 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $36,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $64,055. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

25

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,490. Public Health graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $58,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.