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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for public health in Florida. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Public Health graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $51,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for public health. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for public health. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $34,462. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt.
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The University Of West Florida earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Public Health graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Public Health graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $67,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,345 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $65,148. Set against $22,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,193. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,295 to complete the public health program here. 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. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $55,503. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,953. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #12 among the best values for public health. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $47,433. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen College Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,256. Public Health graduates carry a median of $40,809 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Rasmussen College Florida earn a median of $35,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida National University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,368. Public Health graduates carry a median of $37,641 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $42,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everglades University placed #15 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,680. Public Health graduates carry a median of $48,300 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Everglades University earn a median of $33,502 early in their careers. Set against $48,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #16 for value in public health this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $61,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Florida Vocational Institute placed #17 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida Vocational Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $8,468. Public Health graduates of Florida Vocational Institute earn a median of $23,351 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #18 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $44,499. Public Health graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $39,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Tampa came in at #19 for value in public health this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $34,416. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $69,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.