2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/human-services-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for general human services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Human Services Schools
Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in general human services in the Far Western Region. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $6,334. Early-career general human services graduates make about $37,470. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for general human services. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for general human services. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human services, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Moreno Valley College one of the best values for general human services. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $11,196. General Human Services graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #7 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #8 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
College Of The Redwoods placed #9 among the best values for general human services. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College came in at #10 for value in general human services this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
American River College placed #13 among the best values for general human services. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #14 for value in general human services this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Allan Hancock College came in at #15 for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general human services program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College placed #17 among the best values for general human services. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Cuyamaca College came in at #18 for value in general human services this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,346, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.
Contra Costa College placed #19 among the best values for general human services. Set in the suburb of San Pablo, Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Contra Costa College earn a median of $65,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #20 for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Bernardino Valley College earned the #21 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Tacoma Community College earned the #22 position for value in general human services this year. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Students borrow a median of $17,367 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $41,008. That is a strong return on a $17,367 median debt.
Northwest Indian College came in at #23 for value in general human services this year. Northwest Indian College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,365. General Human Services graduates of Northwest Indian College earn a median of $25,182 early in their careers.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #24 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $34,359 early in their careers. Set against $26,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $20,648. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Human Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general human services value ranking:
Narrow General Human Services Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
