2026 Best Value Human Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

North Central State College
Mansfield, OH

Our analysis ranked North Central State College the best value for a degree in human services in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $12,236. Early-career human services graduates make about $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northcentral Technical College earned it the #3 place for human services. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,709. Human Services graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $24,119. Early-career human services graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #5 place for human services. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global earned the #6 position for value in human services this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $36,516. Human Services graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $33,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #7 position for value in human services this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Human Services graduates carry a median of $40,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $37,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Rasmussen College Illinois
Rockford, IL

Rasmussen College Illinois earned the #8 position for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,581. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $36,597. Early-career human services graduates make about $36,998. Set against $36,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for human services value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Human Services graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

10

Grace Bible College
Wyoming, MI

Grace Bible College came in at #10 for value in human services this year. Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wyoming. Students from in state pay about $17,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,648 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Grace Bible College earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,648 median debt. Grace Bible College admits about 99% of applicants.

11

Herzing University Madison
Madison, WI

Herzing University Madison earned the #11 position for value in human services this year. Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $30,328. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $53,203. That is a strong return on a $30,328 median debt. Herzing University Madison admits about 94% of applicants.

12

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University came in at #12 for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Human Services graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $44,501. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.

13

Ohio Christian University
Circleville, OH

Ohio Christian University came in at #13 for value in human services this year. Set in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,190. Students borrow a median of $29,940 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Ohio Christian University earn a median of $45,829 early in their careers. Set against $29,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

Saint Mary Of The Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN

Saint Mary Of The Woods College landed the #14 spot for human services value this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,240. Students borrow a median of $28,366 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $48,088. That is a strong return on a $28,366 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.