by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general human services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for general human services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for general human services in California. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,334 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human services, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Moreno Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. 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. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $12,643. Early-career general human services graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Santa Ana College earned the #6 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $11,196. Early-career general human services graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #8 for value in general human services this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Solano Community College came in at #10 for value in general human services this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. 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. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $15,525. Early-career general human services graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
American River College earned the #12 position for value in general human services this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $14,105. General Human Services graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College landed the #13 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Cypress College landed the #14 spot for general human services value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #15 among the best values for general human services. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $14,692. Early-career general human services graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #16 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College earned the #17 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyamaca College earned the #18 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Contra Costa College landed the #19 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the suburb of San Pablo, Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $11,602. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #21 for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $19,500. General Human Services graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #23 spot for general human services value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College landed the #24 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $15,510. Early-career general human services graduates make about $95,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cabrillo College landed the #25 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general human services:
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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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.