by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 66 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health professions schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Gateway Community College Central City, our #1 best value for health professions in Arizona. Gateway Community College Central City is a small public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students borrow a median of $16,164 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,179. Early-career health professions graduates make about $51,221. Set against $12,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,250. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $69,363. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Central Arizona College, which ranked #4. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,348 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Mohave Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,534 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $69,974. Set against $14,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Cochise College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $10,304 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $69,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,786 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $45,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tohono Oodham Community College placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sells. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.
Phoenix College earned the #9 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,547 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $78,503 early in their careers. Set against $16,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,062 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $64,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,062 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $71,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $24,741 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $75,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Phoenix earned the #14 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Pima Medical Institute Phoenix is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,537 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Phoenix generally make around $38,100.
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #15 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,765 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $62,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $34,003 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $78,359. Set against $34,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute East Valley landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute East Valley is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $7,964. Health Professions graduates of Pima Medical Institute East Valley earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. Set against $7,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #18 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,806. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $67,572. Set against $22,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dine College landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Dine College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tsaile. In-state tuition and fees average $1,410. Health Professions graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.
Mesa Community College landed the #20 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,256. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,807 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $85,877. Set against $22,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Coconino Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $2,907 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $29,273 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #23 position for value in health professions this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,813 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #24 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $28,881 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $63,327. Set against $28,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University came in at #25 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $24,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $85,374. That is a strong return on a $24,204 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
These schools also delivered strong value for health professions this year:
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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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.