by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health professions education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 136 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Carl Sandburg College the best value for a degree in health professions in Illinois. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,460 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $65,475. That is a strong return on a $9,460 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,673 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,924. Set against $14,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,048. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $52,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Danville Area Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,340. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $60,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #5 spot this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #6 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $13,707 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $52,394. That is a strong return on a $13,707 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #7 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $40,148. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
South Suburban College came in at #8 for value in health professions this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,307. Health Professions graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $51,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,307 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #9 for value in health professions this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,793 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $61,595. Set against $10,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $56,530. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,428 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $53,567. That is a strong return on a $11,428 median debt.
Triton College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,247 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,348. Set against $16,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $67,040. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Joliet Junior College earned the #14 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,463 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $58,703 early in their careers. Set against $15,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,102 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,455. That is a strong return on a $12,102 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #17 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,806 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,887. Set against $12,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,437. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $57,039. That is a strong return on a $17,437 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #19 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $58,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,993. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $63,447. Set against $11,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $62,499. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,889. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $58,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College placed #23 among the best values for health professions. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,500. Health Professions graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $66,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Prairie State College earned the #24 position for value in health professions this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $45,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College came in at #25 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.