2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 75 schools to find the best return on investment for public health students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Ozarks Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Public Health graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $11,350. Early-career public health graduates make about $37,259. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #3. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,278 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $30,911. Set against $23,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $70,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for public health. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,328 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,328 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Public Health graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Public Health graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #7 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $32,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Emporia State University placed #8 among the best values for public health. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $31,547. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,650. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $18,442. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas came in at #10 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $62,420. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,966 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,250. That is a strong return on a $20,966 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #13 for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $49,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #14 position for value in public health this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #15 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $35,998. Early-career public health graduates make about $73,117. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #16 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lindenwood University placed #17 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University earned the #18 position for value in public health this year. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,503 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Dakota landed the #19 spot for public health value this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #20 among the best values for public health. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $19,000. Early-career public health graduates make about $53,368. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota came in at #21 for value in public health this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,322. Public Health graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $54,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Public Health graduates carry a median of $40,809 in student loans. Public Health graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $35,433 early in their careers. Set against $40,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #23 spot for public health value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Public Health graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #24 for value in public health this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $22,469. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $48,836. Set against $22,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #25 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Public Health graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career public health graduates make about $59,463. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Public Health Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public health this year:
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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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
