by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Arizona Western College, our #1 best value for public health in Arizona. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career public health graduates make about $44,895.
Dine College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Early-career public health graduates make about $20,227.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $14,204. Public Health graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Public Health graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. 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.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,044. Public Health graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
American Intercontinental University Online placed #6 among the best values for public health. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Public Health graduates carry a median of $39,107 in student loans. Public Health graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Northern Arizona University came in at #7 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $24,250. Early-career public health graduates make about $41,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,699. Public Health graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $48,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bryan University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,219. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Bryan University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,425 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Canyon University placed #10 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $53,104. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.