by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 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.
Gordon State College earned the #1 spot for value among human services schools in Georgia. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,628, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $31,000. Early-career human services graduates make about $33,648. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Georgia earned it the #2 place for human services. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Human Services graduates carry a median of $27,850 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $34,032. That is a strong return on a $27,850 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at Kennesaw State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Human Services graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $30,437 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at Mercer University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Human Services graduates carry a median of $54,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $44,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.