2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in North Carolina
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in North Carolina
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
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,861. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Sampson Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #3 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. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Halifax Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $70,982.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Gaston College came in at #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Richmond Community College placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mitchell Community College placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Isothermal Community College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,716. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $32,000 early in their careers. Set against $21,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $34,621. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Set against $34,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Randolph Community College landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Pamlico Community College landed the #17 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Pamlico Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Grantsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earned the #18 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #19 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $29,078. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,294 early in their careers. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Carteret Community College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $8,222 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,566 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Carteret Community College earn a median of $48,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, compared with $9,026 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $16,384. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $37,459. Set against $16,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Appalachian State University landed the #22 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $50,121. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,542. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Catawba College came in at #25 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Students borrow a median of $25,667 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Catawba College generally make around $37,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental & social health services:
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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
