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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Kentucky

5 Colleges in the United States
$20,980 Avg Student Debt
$46,716 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Health Badge [Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Health (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Public Health (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Public Health (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctorate - Public Health (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Doctorate - Public Health (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Public Health (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Public Health (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MPH - Public Health (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MPH - Public Health (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Public Health (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Public Health (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Public Health" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Public Health" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Master of Public Health (MPH)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Master of Public Health (MPH)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Community Health Education" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Master of Public Health (MPH) - Global Health" with relevance 0.7
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DEBUG: Checking offer "DSW - Social Work (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Social Work & Social Sciences Doctorate Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Criminal Justice - Public Safety Administration" with relevance 0.3
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Kentucky

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Health Schools

1

Murray State University earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $38,753 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

2

Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for public health. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

4
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

A rank of #4 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for public health. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,543 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $23,543 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

5

University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,250. Public Health graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

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6

University Of Louisville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,500. Public Health graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $39,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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