2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in New Jersey
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 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 New Jersey
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 Camden County College, our #1 best value for mental & social health services in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,549. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
Burlington County College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Passaic County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,792. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #5 place for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Centenary College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,732. Students borrow a median of $25,081 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,520. Set against $25,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #9 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,657. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,297. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Students borrow a median of $26,847 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $53,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
