2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Virginia
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
For return on investment in public health, no school beat Radford University this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,323. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. That is a strong return on a $21,323 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $52,149. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Bryant And Stratton College Virginia Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,752. Students borrow a median of $33,366 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $33,301. That is a strong return on a $33,366 median debt.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $58,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lynchburg College earned the #6 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Lynchburg College generally make around $107,159. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for public health. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $63,861. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #8 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $66,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Roanoke College earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,068 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $33,725. Set against $26,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #10 position for value in public health this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Public Health graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $44,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Shenandoah University earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $62,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
