2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 111 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 the Southwest Region
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
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,250. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $36,004 early in their careers. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $22,011 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $22,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #3 place for mental & social health services. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $49,328. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,189. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,839. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,378 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $40,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tarrant County College District landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,948. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $25,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,185 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College earned the #11 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Tohono Oodham Community College landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.
Yavapai College came in at #13 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,087. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,073. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. That is a strong return on a $14,073 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,421. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $36,563. That is a strong return on a $24,421 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College landed the #18 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,322. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College earned the #19 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Rio Salado College placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,679. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Fe Community College earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,267. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,211. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $62,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
Narrow Mental & Social Health Services Schools by State
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
