2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in New York
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 tops our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,091. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $50,493 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $55,275. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,080. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,336. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #9 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,072. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,709 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $28,402 early in their careers. Set against $7,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Erie Community College placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,898. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $11,898 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for mental & social health services. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $10,292 median debt.
Monroe Community College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Niagara County Community College earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,970. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,652. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mercy College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $56,693. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,339. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #19 for value in mental & social health services this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #20 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $53,103. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,304. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #23 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,258. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Niagara University came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Canisius College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $52,015. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 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
This list is compiled 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
