by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health professions students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Mitchell Technical Institute the best value for a degree in health professions in South Dakota. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $52,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Lake Area Technical Institute, which ranked #3. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,503. Health Professions graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $58,667 early in their careers. Set against $22,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinte Gleska University earned it the #4 place for health professions. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Dakota Technical Institute earned it the #5 place for health professions. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Rapid City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $16,345 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $51,398. Set against $16,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Southeast Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $69,232. Set against $25,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $28,233 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $99,257. That is a strong return on a $28,233 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota placed #8 among the best values for health professions. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $30,392. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $70,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Dakota Wesleyan University placed #9 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,790. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $31,000. Health Professions graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of $67,981 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #10 position for value in health professions this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $70,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
National American University Rapid City ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,065. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $37,998. Early-career health professions graduates make about $37,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Headlines Academy Inc placed #12 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Rapid City, Headlines Academy Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Headlines Academy Inc generally make around $27,821. That is a strong return on a $7,917 median debt.
Mount Marty College landed the #13 spot for health professions value this year. Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Mount Marty College earn a median of $152,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $72,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.