2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Texas
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $22,011 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Vista College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. 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 $9,189. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.
San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $31,821. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,694. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Texas College earned the #9 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. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,290. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,073. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $14,073 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #11 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Kilgore College came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College placed #13 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,376. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Lee College earned the #14 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Lone Star College System landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $62,324. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #18 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $19,819. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,428. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $44,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lamar University placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,988. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,508. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #24 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $44,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $32,106. Students borrow a median of $26,759 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. That is a strong return on a $26,759 median debt.
Rest of the Top 37 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. 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
