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 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Western Governors University, our #1 best value for public health in Utah. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,541. Public Health graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $38,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $62,143. Set against $17,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place for public health. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $76,451. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Public Health graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $47,787 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
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Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for public health. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,924. Public Health graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $29,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Westminster College Utah earned the #7 position for value in public health this year. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $43,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $24,656. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,365. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.