by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) 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 497 schools to find the best return on investment for human services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human services degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in human services, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Human Services graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #2 place for human services. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $34,392. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #3 place for human services. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bronx Community College earned it the #4 place for human services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Human Services graduates carry a median of $8,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Set against $8,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,306. 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.
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San Diego City College landed the #6 spot for human services value this year. 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
Trident Technical College placed #7 among the best values for human services. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #9 spot for human services value this year. 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, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #10 position for value in human services this year. 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, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the human services program here. 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.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #11 spot for human services value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $9,000. Human Services graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $42,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #12 for value in human services this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,246. Human Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College placed #13 among the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the human services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College earned the #14 position for value in human services this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College earned the #15 position for value in human services this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $18,203 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,203 median debt.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #16 for value in human services this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $20,000. Early-career human services graduates make about $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College landed the #17 spot for human services value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,569 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #18 position for value in human services this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Human Services graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $32,626. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Stanly Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Human Services graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Cypress College placed #20 among the best values for human services. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #21 spot for human services value this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $14,105. Early-career human services graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College placed #24 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,995. Early-career human services graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $22,496 early in their careers.
These schools also delivered strong value for human services this year:
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Explore the best-value human services schools at other degree levels:
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 · 497 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.