2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for public health in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,481. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

A rank of #2 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for public health. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $29,125. Public Health graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $51,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,125 median debt.

3

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian River State College earned it the #3 place for public health. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $10,492. Public Health graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

4

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #4 place for public health. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $30,056. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

5

Eastern Florida State College
Melbourne, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Florida State College earned it the #5 place for public health. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $34,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt.

6

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $67,270. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,345 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $65,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

8

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Roane State Community College landed the #8 spot for public health value this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #9 among the best values for public health. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $38,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #10 for value in public health this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $53,193 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

11

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $20,488. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

12

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #12 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

13

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $16,203. Early-career public health graduates make about $75,293. That is a strong return on a $16,203 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

14

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

15

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #15 among the best values for public health. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $53,901. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt.

16

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #16 position for value in public health this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,295. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #17 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $55,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #18 among the best values for public health. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $46,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best values for public health. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $40,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #20 among the best values for public health. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

21

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,543 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #22 spot for public health value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,250. Public Health graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

23

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University earned the #23 position for value in public health this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $26,343 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

24

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,268. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

25

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #25 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $24,000. Public Health graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $43,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.