2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Pennsylvania
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Montgomery County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,578. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. That is a strong return on a $23,578 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,900. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #4 place for public health. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $55,176 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,380. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,998 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,949. That is a strong return on a $26,998 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $39,400. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arcadia University came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,921. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $46,764. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University earned the #10 position for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $58,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #11 spot for public health value this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $32,256. Public Health graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Temple University earn a median of $51,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,500. Public Health graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Muhlenberg College came in at #14 for value in public health this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,038 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $20,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for public health. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,561. Public Health graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #19 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,297. Public Health graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Josephs University earned the #20 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences placed #21 among the best values for public health. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $32,933 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $69,582. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Drexel University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #23 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,875. Public Health graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
