by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Rich Mountain Community College the best value for a degree in health professions in Arkansas. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $36,179.
Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,006. Health Professions graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $60,174 early in their careers. Set against $16,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid South Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarka College earned it the #4 place for health professions. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $57,601. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $78,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $7,018. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $33,090. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black River Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,999. Health Professions graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $54,119 early in their careers. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #8 for value in health professions this year. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,488. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College placed #9 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,447. Health Professions graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $69,484 early in their careers. Set against $9,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College came in at #10 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Set against $15,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. East Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of Forrest City. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,535 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $64,762. That is a strong return on a $8,535 median debt.
College Of The Ouachitas came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $37,374 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,175 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $44,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. Students from in state pay about $3,885 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,565. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,162 ten years after entry.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #15 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,604 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,670. Early-career health professions graduates make about $66,565. Set against $13,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $62,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,450 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,570. Set against $18,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Arkansas College earned the #19 position for value in health professions this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,172 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $51,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #20 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Students borrow a median of $9,539 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $48,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Park Community College placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Students borrow a median of $15,385 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $57,010. That is a strong return on a $15,385 median debt.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #22 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,486. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $44,871. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Students borrow a median of $18,565 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $67,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,565 median debt. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,958. Health Professions graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $81,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,958 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #25 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,767. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health professions:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.