[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1009 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
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Finding the Best Value Mental & Social Health Services School for You
Where you study mental & social health services affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Gain a strong foundation in the concepts involved with mental health therapy and assessment with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Become a force for the public good by exploring current trends in health and health policy from a national and global perspective with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Focus on improving the health of individuals based on their lifestyle needs with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat Mt San Antonio College this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $59,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,678. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
San Diego City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,514. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #9 for value in mental & social health services this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
St Petersburg College landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Pima Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,250. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $36,004. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,246. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $48,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Alvin Community College placed #16 among the best values for mental & social health services. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,600. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $22,011 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $41,295. Set against $22,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College earned the #18 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,389. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #19 for value in mental & social health services this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $31,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Elgin Community College earned the #20 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #21 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,709 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $28,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,709 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #22 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,336. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College landed the #25 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,154. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 1009 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 366 ranked schools only.
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).
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
