2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

For return on investment in public health, no school beat South Suburban College this year. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Public Health graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $42,425 early in their careers. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,500. Public Health graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,987 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $74,653. Set against $22,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,220 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,863. That is a strong return on a $22,220 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,334. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $43,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $24,925. Early-career public health graduates make about $54,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in public health this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Public Health graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

8

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #8 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $36,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $56,058 early in their careers. Set against $20,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

11

Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, OH

Wilberforce University earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Wilberforce University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,448. Students borrow a median of $35,674 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $31,290. That is a strong return on a $35,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

12

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in public health this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,678. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,900. Set against $20,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

14

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #14 spot for public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $30,750. Early-career public health graduates make about $57,173. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #15 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,689 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $49,460. Set against $19,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #16 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $29,223. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,023. That is a strong return on a $29,223 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

17

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global earned the #17 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Public Health graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,250. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #18 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $48,125 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

19

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Public Health graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

20

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University earned the #20 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

21

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #21 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,585. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #23 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,813. Public Health graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $60,435 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

24

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $58,009. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.