2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools in Pennsylvania

[General Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/human-services-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general human services schools.
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2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general human services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Human Services Schools
Leading the list is Westmoreland County Community College, our #1 best value for general human services in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peirce College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,060. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $53,071. That is a strong return on a $44,247 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #3 place for general human services. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $36,401 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $33,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for general human services. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $42,444. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $18,242 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $24,893 early in their careers. Set against $18,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Students borrow a median of $26,537 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $53,667. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Harcum College placed #7 among the best values for general human services. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Students borrow a median of $23,540 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $26,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $42,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $35,787. Set against $42,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chestnut Hill College came in at #9 for value in general human services this year. Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $39,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,125 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $46,201. That is a strong return on a $43,125 median debt. Chestnut Hill College admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Scranton came in at #10 for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
More General Human Services Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.