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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Human Services Schools in the Far Western Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$16,187 Avg Student Debt
$46,476 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Human Services Badge [Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 97 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human services students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Human Services Schools in the Far Western Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human services degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Human Services Schools

1

Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for human services in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.

3
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for human services. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,306. Early-career human services graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for human services. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #6 position for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College earned the #7 position for value in human services this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Folsom Lake College landed the #8 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.

9

College Of The Redwoods placed #9 among the best values for human services. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, 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. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.

10

Solano Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the human services program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

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11

California State University Fullerton placed #11 among the best values for human services. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $54,471. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #12 spot for human services value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College placed #13 among the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. 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.

14
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.

15
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College landed the #15 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

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Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #16 for value in human services this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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.

17
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College landed the #17 spot for human services value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA

Cuyamaca College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.

19
Contra Costa College crest
Contra Costa College
San Pablo, CA

Contra Costa College came in at #19 for value in human services this year. Located in the suburb of San Pablo, Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,602. Human Services graduates of Contra Costa College earn a median of $65,024 early in their careers. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

City College Of San Francisco came in at #20 for value in human services this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College came in at #21 for value in human services this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $19,500. Early-career human services graduates make about $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Tacoma Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Students borrow a median of $17,367 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,008. Set against $17,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Northwest Indian College placed #23 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Bellingham, Northwest Indian College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,365. Human Services graduates of Northwest Indian College earn a median of $25,182 early in their careers.

24

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $26,945. Human Services graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $34,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

Portland Community College placed #25 among the best values for human services. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $49,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Human Services Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for human services this year:

26
27
28
29
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA
37
Ashford University crest
Ashford University
San Diego, CA
38
39

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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