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.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value human services schools.
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. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Human Services graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $37,470. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #3 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for human services. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Santa Ana College landed the #6 spot for human services value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,196. 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 human services this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods landed the #8 spot for human services value 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 human services graduates is $20,000. Human Services graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. 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 human services schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Solano Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #11 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Human Services graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
American River College landed the #12 spot for human services value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $14,105. Early-career human services graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Cypress College came in at #14 for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #15 spot for human services value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #16 spot for human services value this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for 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 landed the #17 spot for human services value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Cuyamaca College placed #18 among the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,346, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Contra Costa College came in at #19 for value in human services this year. Contra Costa College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of San Pablo. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
City College Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best values for human services. 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, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #22 for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $8,575. Early-career human services graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #23 position for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cabrillo College landed the #25 spot for human services value this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $47,750. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for human services this year:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.