2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among public health schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $15,095. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Public Health graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,885 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $33,514. Set against $24,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $23,328. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,621. Set against $23,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #7 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $31,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

8

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College placed #8 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

9

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #9 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $53,620 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University landed the #10 spot for public health value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,457. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

11

Dine College
Tsaile, AZ

Dine College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Dine College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tsaile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Public Health graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.

12

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #12 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,044 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,083 early in their careers. Set against $25,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

13

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.

14

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #14 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #15 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

16

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #16 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University landed the #17 spot for public health value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #18 among the best values for public health. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Public Health graduates carry a median of $21,699 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $48,651. Set against $21,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #19 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $37,043. That is a strong return on a $20,108 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

20

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $35,119. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

21

American Intercontinental University Online
Chandler, AZ

American Intercontinental University Online landed the #21 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $43,008. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #22 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

23

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Public Health graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

24

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University came in at #24 for value in public health this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $34,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $35,564. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.