2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Far Western Region
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 161 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
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Featured Mental & Social Health Services Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Psychology - Mental Health
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.
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BA in Sociology - Community Health
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.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental & social health services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,514. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for mental & social health services. 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. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,707. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,154. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #9 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Yuba College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,729. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #13 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #15 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
College Of The Redwoods ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Skagit Valley College landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,056. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #20 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #21 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $16,202. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $45,849 early in their careers. Set against $20,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #24 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental & social health services:
Narrow Mental & Social Health Services Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 161 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
