by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health professions education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 190 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,798. Early-career health professions graduates make about $54,165. That is a strong return on a $15,798 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $16,383 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $43,219. Set against $16,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #3 place for health professions. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $54,491. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Marion Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $56,260 early in their careers. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Columbus State Community College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $5,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
1
2
3
4
5
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #6 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,006 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $56,386. That is a strong return on a $23,006 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,633. Early-career health professions graduates make about $50,424. That is a strong return on a $20,633 median debt.
North Central State College came in at #8 for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,224 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $55,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #9 among the best values for health professions. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,957. Early-career health professions graduates make about $37,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Zane State College landed the #10 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,966 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $30,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,966 median debt.
Lakeland Community College landed the #11 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,244. That is a strong return on a $22,597 median debt.
Edison State Community College earned the #12 position for value in health professions this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $21,420 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,140. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,941. Set against $23,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,215 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,304. That is a strong return on a $25,215 median debt.
Ohio University Southern Campus placed #15 among the best values for health professions. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,497 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Ohio University Southern Campus generally make around $70,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus came in at #16 for value in health professions this year. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,497 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $69,337. Set against $26,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College placed #17 among the best values for health professions. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,857 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $53,786. That is a strong return on a $17,857 median debt.
Owens Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,032. Health Professions graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $59,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,032 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $70,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilberforce University placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Wilberforce University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,448. Students borrow a median of $35,674 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Wilberforce University generally make around $31,290. Set against $35,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont College landed the #21 spot for health professions value this year. Belmont College is a small public school located in the rural area of St Clairsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Belmont College earn a median of $58,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Ohio Technical College came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $8,016. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,111. Health Professions graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $61,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Wayne College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, compared with $15,403 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,500. Health Professions graduates of University Of Akron Wayne College earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washington State Community College earned the #24 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,809 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $57,254 early in their careers. Set against $18,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,928. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $95,588. Set against $28,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.