2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in New York
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 70 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $47,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,414. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $52,104. That is a strong return on a $15,414 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for public health. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,492. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #5. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College earned the #7 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Public Health graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $43,000. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #8 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $30,904 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,246. That is a strong return on a $30,904 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Public Health graduates carry a median of $21,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $56,541. That is a strong return on a $21,056 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #11 among the best values for public health. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,540. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #12 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,537. Early-career public health graduates make about $64,289. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $73,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $46,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #15 spot for public health value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,086. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bryant And Stratton College Online landed the #16 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,274. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $33,366. Public Health graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Online earn a median of $33,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,366 median debt.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #17 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $38,709. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,250. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,130. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
New York Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for public health value this year. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $61,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #20 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences landed the #21 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,125. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences generally make around $71,648. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences admits about 53% of applicants.
Saint Bonaventure University came in at #22 for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $43,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Saint John Fisher College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,190. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,630. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,487. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Rochester came in at #25 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,000. Public Health graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
More Public Health Rankings
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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
