2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in California
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 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.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in California
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 California. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $59,278. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #3 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. 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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cypress College placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Yuba College placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #9 for value in mental & social health services this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Allan Hancock College placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Porterville College came in at #11 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Long Beach City College came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,205. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #14 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
California State University Northridge came in at #15 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. San Bernardino Valley College is a large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,763. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $6,382. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public school located in the city of Woodland Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Verde College earned the #22 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the rural area of Blythe, Palo Verde College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,389 ten years after entry.
San Francisco State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $59,756. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Cuesta College came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $64,492. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Desert placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $7,826. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $41,295. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
View All Mental & Social Health Services Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
