2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Virginia
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 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 Virginia
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
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $29,220. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $39,904 early in their careers. Set against $29,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Patrick Henry Community College earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $33,358. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #3 place for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Germanna Community College earned it the #5 place for mental & social health services. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $30,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,132. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,152 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $25,271. That is a strong return on a $25,152 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,768. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $23,509. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Old Dominion University came in at #11 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $30,949. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,645 early in their careers. Set against $30,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,500. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #13 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $77,108. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Regent University placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Regent University earn a median of $41,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
James Madison University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,971. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Bluefield College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,780. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $49,380 early in their careers. Set against $24,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Mennonite University placed #17 among the best values for mental & social health services. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,920. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Eastern Mennonite University generally make around $44,202. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,880. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $55,202. That is a strong return on a $26,880 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
South Universityvirginia Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, South Universityvirginia Beach is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,895. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $48,920 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of South Universityvirginia Beach earn a median of $41,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,136. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
