2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Community College earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,277. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,940. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $25,644. That is a strong return on a $22,940 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Hennepin Technical College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #6 among the best values for mental & social health services. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinte Gleska University came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #9 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006. Students borrow a median of $21,773 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,871. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt.
Washburn University placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $31,063. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,063 median debt.
Northwest Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,254. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northwest Technical College generally make around $44,151. Set against $31,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $36,302 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,302 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,577. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $61,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,674. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $43,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,305 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $33,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Vision University placed #18 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Kansas City, City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,123.
University Of Kansas landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,907 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $42,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $48,228 early in their careers. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bethany Lutheran College came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,360. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,000. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Winona State University placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Dakota came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #25 for value in mental & social health services this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,269 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,691. Set against $27,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
Narrow Mental & Social Health Services Schools by State
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
