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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 66 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.
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Century College this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $26,093. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,146. Set against $26,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $34,328. Health Professions graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $61,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $24,962. Early-career health professions graduates make about $69,347. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #4 place for health professions. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $27,779 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,312. Set against $27,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,391. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $66,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Hennepin Technical College earned the #6 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $16,466 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $39,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $31,031. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Pine Technical College generally make around $63,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,885. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,563. Set against $23,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College earned the #9 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $28,072 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of South Central College earn a median of $58,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,072 median debt.
Dakota County Technical College placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,084 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $42,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in health professions this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $74,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Rochester landed the #12 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Minnesota Rochester is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,016 in tuition and fees. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Rochester generally make around $53,988. Set against $22,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ridgewater College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Students borrow a median of $24,419 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,978. Set against $24,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #14 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $61,934. Set against $26,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #15 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $36,865. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,141. That is a strong return on a $36,865 median debt.
Anoka Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $42,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,451. Health Professions graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $53,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,451 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #18 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,649. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $53,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,423. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $63,362. Set against $28,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,272. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $65,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,389. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $25,161. Health Professions graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,055 early in their careers. Set against $25,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #22 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,161. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $67,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Technical College earned the #23 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,254. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,482. That is a strong return on a $31,053 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,359 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $60,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College earned the #25 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,333 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $59,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,333 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health professions:
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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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.