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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong human services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for human services students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cochise College earned the #1 spot for value among human services schools in the Southwest Region. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Central University earned it the #2 place for human services. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $37,648. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Santa Fe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #3 spot this year. Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $15,267. Human Services graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Human Services graduates carry a median of $38,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $40,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for human services. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $21,861. Human Services graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Southwestern Assemblies Of God University came in at #6 for value in human services this year. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Waxahachie. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Students borrow a median of $28,248 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $37,774. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Southern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Wayland Baptist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Human Services graduates carry a median of $27,258 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $33,082 early in their careers. Set against $27,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $30,509. Human Services graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $35,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.