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 20 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 Bismarck State College this year. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,281 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $66,265. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Williston State College one of the best values for health professions. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Students borrow a median of $21,968 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $60,944. That is a strong return on a $21,968 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State College Of Science one of the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Students borrow a median of $29,655 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $58,656 early in their careers. Set against $29,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Region State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Students from in state pay about $5,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $27,121. Health Professions graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $68,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valley City State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Minot State University came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $27,111. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $72,238. That is a strong return on a $27,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Dakota College At Bottineau earned the #7 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $28,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $71,261. Set against $28,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mayville State University earned the #8 position for value in health professions this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $28,250. Early-career health professions graduates make about $77,525. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt.
Dickinson State University landed the #9 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Students borrow a median of $30,827 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,151. That is a strong return on a $30,827 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $28,540 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $84,606 early in their careers. Set against $28,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Rasmussen College North Dakota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Fargo, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $29,086 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Rasmussen College North Dakota earn a median of $76,864 early in their careers. Set against $29,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary landed the #12 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $27,789 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $80,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $26,229 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $132,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jamestown. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Jamestown College earn a median of $72,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
