2026 Best Value Human Services Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

For return on investment in human services, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $28,156. Human Services graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $55,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

2

East Central University
Ada, OK

Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at East Central University, which ranked #2. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Human Services graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Human Services graduates of East Central University earn a median of $43,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $36,516 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $45,040 early in their careers. Set against $36,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for human services. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $37,500. Human Services graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

5

Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,692. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,919 ten years after entry. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.

6

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University came in at #6 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Human Services graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $49,445. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.

7

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best values for human services. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Human Services graduates carry a median of $22,150 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $44,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #8 position for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $29,026. Human Services graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $58,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

9

Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA

Touro University Worldwide earned the #9 position for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,640. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $32,289. Early-career human services graduates make about $55,346. That is a strong return on a $32,289 median debt.

10

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota came in at #10 for value in human services this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $26,322. Early-career human services graduates make about $74,147. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.

11

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #11 for value in human services this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $35,998. Early-career human services graduates make about $52,083. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University came in at #12 for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Human Services graduates carry a median of $54,002 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $57,109. That is a strong return on a $54,002 median debt.

13

Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University earned the #13 position for value in human services this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Students borrow a median of $50,406 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $39,740. That is a strong return on a $50,406 median debt. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.

14

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University came in at #14 for value in human services this year. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Students borrow a median of $27,258 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $33,082. Set against $27,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.

15

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University earned the #15 position for value in human services this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Human Services graduates carry a median of $50,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $46,189. That is a strong return on a $50,495 median debt.

16

Mercer University
Macon, GA

Mercer University earned the #16 position for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $54,500. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $44,355. Set against $54,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

17

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Human Services graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $48,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Webster University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $23,795. Human Services graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

20

Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, CT

Albertus Magnus College placed #20 among the best values for human services. Albertus Magnus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,908. Human Services graduates carry a median of $36,919 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Albertus Magnus College generally make around $50,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.