2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Missouri
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public health students.
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public health, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Ozarks Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the public health program here. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Students borrow a median of $11,350 to complete the public health program here. Early-career public health graduates make about $37,259. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,278 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fontbonne University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public health, landing the #5 spot this year. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $33,503. Public Health graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,503 median debt.
Lindenwood University landed the #6 spot for public health value this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Public Health graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #7 among the best values for public health. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the public health program here. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $59,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in public health this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $47,886. Set against $26,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
