2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 153 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 Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mental & social health services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Leading the list is Elgin Community College, our #1 best value for mental & social health services in the Great Lakes Region. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $7,727. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned it the #3 place for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,272. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $38,982. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,613 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #6 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,259 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $25,557. Set against $11,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,168. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $16,067 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $29,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #11 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Technical College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $22,350 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $28,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Southeast placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,477 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $29,883. Set against $17,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,799 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $37,325 early in their careers. Set against $23,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,485. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #18 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $35,927 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #19 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,997. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Heartland Community College came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,110. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #23 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #24 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
