2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the New England Region
[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 73 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Health Schools
For return on investment in public health, no school beat Harvard University this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $106,623. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #2 place for public health. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $12,059. Public Health graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $62,476 early in their careers. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maine one of the best values for public health. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #5 place for public health. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $50,613 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,637. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,320. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Vermont came in at #7 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $61,854. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College earned the #8 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #9 for value in public health this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $49,275. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Plymouth State University landed the #12 spot for public health value this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $34,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Brown University came in at #13 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,760. Public Health graduates of Brown University earn a median of $73,157 early in their careers. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine came in at #14 for value in public health this year. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. Students from in state pay about $44,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,625. Early-career public health graduates make about $93,687. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #15 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Students borrow a median of $28,601 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $56,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #16 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $68,423. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Online came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,365. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,012 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. Set against $27,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Online admits about 91% of applicants.
Franklin Pierce University came in at #18 for value in public health this year. Franklin Pierce University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rindge. In-state tuition and fees average $46,442. Students borrow a median of $26,937 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Franklin Pierce University earn a median of $73,341 early in their careers. Set against $26,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College came in at #19 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $45,331 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
American International College landed the #20 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $31,000. Public Health graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Yale University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $72,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Dartmouth College placed #22 among the best values for public health. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Public Health graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Regis College placed #23 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,680. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Regis College earn a median of $42,638 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Curry College earned the #24 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,570. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,571. Public Health graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #25 position for value in public health this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,920 early in their careers. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Public Health Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public health:
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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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
