Best Value Public Health Colleges in Massachusetts

Harvard University achieves the remarkable feat of offering the lowest net price for Public Health students at $16,816 while Massachusetts colleges span a massive $21,971 cost range. This state's concentration of biotech companies and research hospitals creates an ideal training ground for future public health professionals, with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health alone employing hundreds of epidemiologists and health policy analysts. UMass-Lowell delivers strong value with a net price of $18,627 and graduates earning $37,568, while Tufts commands the highest earnings at $41,937 for a net cost of $35,435. The state's public universities cluster below $25,000 in net costs, making quality education accessible even as private institutions stretch beyond $35,000. With acceptance rates ranging from Harvard's selective 3.24% to UMass-Dartmouth's accessible 95.52%, students find options matching their academic profile and financial needs.

Programs

$16,816 – $38,787

Net Price Range

$36,509

Avg. Program Earnings

68.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Public Health Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$37,568	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
2	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	$23,691	$36,218	$17,357	83.2%	63.5%
3	Simmons University Boston, Massachusetts	$27,313	$38,289	$45,538	71.2%	76.5%
4	Regis College Weston, Massachusetts	$28,346	$37,568	$47,770	69.5%	88.8%
5	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$35,435	$41,937	$67,844	93.3%	9.7%
6	American International College Springfield, Massachusetts	$25,299	$27,476	$42,970	42.3%	89.4%
7	MCPHS University Boston, Massachusetts	$35,084		$38,850	63.3%	88.3%
8	Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, Massachusetts	$30,934		$62,080	75.7%	79.5%
9	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, Massachusetts	$20,605		$15,208	49.0%	95.5%
10	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$32,116		$63,141	90.4%	6.8%
11	Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Massachusetts	$18,707		$11,884	49.1%	92.5%
12	Merrimack College North Andover, Massachusetts	$37,899		$51,786	72.1%	74.6%
13	University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, Massachusetts	$18,282		$15,496	51.1%	80.8%
14	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816		$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
15	Hampshire College Amherst, Massachusetts	$25,810		$56,630	57.2%	68.9%
16	Curry College Milton, Massachusetts	$29,504		$46,220	48.3%	87.5%
17	Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts	$17,970		$11,389	54.6%	87.7%
18	Bentley University Waltham, Massachusetts	$38,787		$58,150	88.2%	57.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Harvard's Public Health program such good value despite its reputation?

Harvard's net price of $16,816 represents the lowest cost among all Massachusetts Public Health programs, thanks to generous need-based aid that reduces the $59,076 sticker price. The program maintains a 97.30% graduation rate and connects students directly with Boston's concentration of research hospitals and biotech companies. Harvard graduates enter a job market where public health professionals earn competitive salaries while working for organizations like Partners HealthCare and the CDC's New England office.

How do Massachusetts public universities compare for Public Health value?

UMass-Lowell leads public universities with the strongest combination of affordability and outcomes, charging $18,627 net price while graduates earn $37,568 annually. UMass-Amherst costs slightly more at $23,691 but delivers an impressive 83.20% graduation rate and similar earnings of $36,218. UMass-Boston offers the lowest net cost at $18,282, though graduation rates lag at 51.10%, while UMass-Dartmouth provides the most accessible admission at 95.52% acceptance.

Is the $21,971 cost difference between highest and lowest programs justified?

The gap between Harvard's $16,816 net price and Merrimack's $37,899 reflects varying financial aid policies rather than program quality differences. Private institutions like Simmons University at $27,313 and Regis College at $28,346 fall in the middle range while offering specialized training for Massachusetts' healthcare sector. Students should weigh that even the highest-cost programs lead to earnings between $27,476 and $41,937, providing reasonable return on investment.

Where do Massachusetts Public Health graduates typically find employment?

Massachusetts hosts over 80 biotechnology companies in the Cambridge area alone, creating abundant opportunities for epidemiologists and health policy analysts. Major employers include Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which actively recruits from state universities. The state's concentration of research institutions means graduates earning between $27,476 and $41,937 often work on modern health initiatives while living in one of the nation's top healthcare innovation centers.

More Public Health Rankings

Cheapest Public Health in Massachusetts Public Health Under $20,000 in Massachusetts

All Public Health Programs Best Colleges in Massachusetts Best Public Health in Massachusetts

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.