by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,616. Early-career public health graduates make about $106,623. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $50,613. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $49,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $68,423. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
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American International College came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from American International College generally make around $66,104. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College landed the #7 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $45,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Regis College placed #8 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $42,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Curry College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,571 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $59,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,960. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Northeastern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,611. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $65,374. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #12 among the best values for public health. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $62,023. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.