2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southeast 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 208 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 Southeast 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
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat St Petersburg College this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $28,529 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $35,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Hazard Community And Technical College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #6 among the best values for mental & social health services. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $29,220 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $39,904 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,220 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,708. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #8 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Miami Dade College placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College came in at #13 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,915. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College earned the #14 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
John Tyler Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $17,594. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $26,277 early in their careers. Set against $17,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #16 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Piedmont Community College came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,650, while out-of-state students pay about $8,794. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #18 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $7,947. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Halifax Community College came in at #19 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $70,982.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $18,123. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Midlands Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College came in at #23 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $30,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Isothermal Community College earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
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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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
