2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 170 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,493. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $52,721. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $7,709 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $28,402. That is a strong return on a $7,709 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,939. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $31,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,000. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Camden County College placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,999. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,549. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,688. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $49,818 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Erie Community College placed #13 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,898 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,230. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wor Wic Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $51,392. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,292. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,292 median debt.
Burlington County College placed #17 among the best values for mental & social health services. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #18 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,723 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,723 median debt.
Monroe Community College landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,921. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Delaware County Community College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $7,000. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Passaic County Community College earned the #22 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,581. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #23 for value in mental & social health services this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #24 among the best values for mental & social health services. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $47,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,771. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,771 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 170 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.