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2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

43 Ranked Colleges
2,527 Degrees Awarded
$10,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Health is the 26th most popular major in the country with 40,596 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public health graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,158 and had an average of $27,396 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,527 public health graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,279 and $29,386 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public health. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public health programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public health program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Health (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 136 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $1,556 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Public Health at WUSTL

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at UMN Twin Cities

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 207 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Iowa

4
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school awarded 61 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

Truman State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $7,208 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Truman State

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $7,843 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

6

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 158 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Health at Mizzou

7
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of North Dakota

8

With a ranking of #8, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,881 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Southern.

Read more about Public Health at Missouri Southern State University

9

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $12,381 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Missouri State University - Springfield Public Health Report

10
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #10, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,513 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about Public Health at University of Northern Iowa

11

Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,220 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ozarks Technical Community College.

Read more about Public Health at OTC

12

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

13
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, St Catherine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 78 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Kate’s also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Kate’s is $14,391 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Kate’s Public Health Report

14

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Minnesota State University - Mankato

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s public health students in 2020-2021.

KU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $15,666 for plains states region 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 more about Public Health at KU

16
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $11,721 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Winona State University

17

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,578 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at UNOMAHA

18
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USD is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

USD also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $15,495 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at USD

19
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,348 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Health at Saint Cloud State University

20
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 5 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Health at Bemidji State University

21
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #21, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 233 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

Capella University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,410 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Capella University.

Read full report on Public Health at Capella University

22
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #22, Saint Louis Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis Community College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public health degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $6,179 for plains states region public health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Health at Saint Louis Community College

23
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public health degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State University is $14,171 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Public Health Report

24
Three Rivers College crest
Three Rivers College
Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Three Rivers College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Three Rivers College is a small school located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri that handed out 10 ’s public health degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Three Rivers College is $7,662 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Health at Three Rivers College

25
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Health Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,136 for Plains States Region Public Health students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Louis University.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Health at Saint Louis University

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Notes and References

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