Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Public Health

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

21 Ranked Colleges
1,472 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Public Health is the 27th most popular major in the country with 38,020 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public health graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $41,740 and had an average of $35,895 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,472 public health graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,964 and $46,461 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public health. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public health programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public health program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Health Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $1,866 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 45 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $2,712 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at UChicago

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 212 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,477 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 225 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,648 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at UIC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 38 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $8,055 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Full SIUE Public Health Report

#6

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSC, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,866 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SSC.

Read full report on Public Health at South Suburban College

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 43 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,470 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Public Health Report

#8

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, GSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GSU is $10,872 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Health at GSU

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 72 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,281 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NIU.

Full Northern Illinois University Public Health Report

#10

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,771 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Read full report on Public Health at University of Illinois at Springfield

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend EIU is $12,350 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Public Health Report

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,942 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Public Health Report

With a ranking of #13, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 12 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,658 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Full SIUC Public Health Report

#14

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,205 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Bradley University

#15

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,507 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSU.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Health at Chicago State University

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois Tech has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $17,222 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Health at Illinois Tech

With a ranking of #17, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,816 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read more about Public Health at Northeastern Illinois University

#18

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois

Benedictine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Benedictine U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 401 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Benedictine U, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Benedictine University is $22,862 for Illinois Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Health at Benedictine U

Chamberlain University - Illinois landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chamberlain - Illinois is located in Addison, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 68 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

Chamberlain - Illinois also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,596 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chamberlain - Illinois.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Chamberlain University - Illinois

#20

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 29 ’s public health degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,440 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Health at Loyola University Chicago

#21

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, DePaul University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Health Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public health degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k list, DePaul has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Health Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $26,173 for illinois public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DePaul.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full DePaul University Public Health Report

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Public Health Schools

Find Schools Near You