College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Michigan

12 Colleges in the United States
$26,540 Avg Student Debt
$60,942 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Health Badge [Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public health education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Health Schools

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public health program here. 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.

2
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #2. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $57,173. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $56,058. Set against $20,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

4
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #4 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5

Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $48,125. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

6
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #7 for value in public health this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $30,944. Public Health graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $46,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,944 median debt. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.

8

Eastern Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for public health. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $38,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

9

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for public health. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,378. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $54,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

10
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $66,933. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

View All Public Health Rankings >

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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options