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2023 Best Value Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

32 Ranked Colleges
3,496 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Mental & Social Health Services is the 46th most popular major in the country with 29,053 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, mental and social health services graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,158 and had an average of $24,907 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,496 mental and social health services graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,027 and $35,508 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 32 colleges that offer a degree in mental and social health services. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great mental and social health services programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the mental and social health services program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 42 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,698 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at UMN Twin Cities

2

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s mental health services degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College is $3,325 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mental & Social Health Services at MCC

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #4 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,005 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Mizzou

4
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Grand Island, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s mental health services students in 2020-2021.

Central Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Community College is $6,498 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mental & Social Health Services at Central Community College

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s mental health services degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mental & Social Health Services at Minnesota State University - Mankato

6
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

With a ranking of #6, University of Mary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMary also took the #8 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary is $16,706 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mental & Social Health Services at UMary

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 59 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $11,721 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mental & Social Health Services at Winona State

8
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 131 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also made our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $15,495 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at University of South Dakota

9
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s mental health services degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Saint Cloud State University

10

Southeast Community College Area ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 40 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College Area is $4,293 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Southeast Community College

11
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s mental health services degrees to 1,529 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Capella University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Capella University is $16,410 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Capella University Mental & Social Health Services Report

12

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #18 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,513 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNI Mental & Social Health Services Report

13
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s mental health services degrees to qualified students.

Washburn University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $11,258 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Washburn University Mental & Social Health Services Report

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s mental health services degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Iowa

15

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 75 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,801 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SMU MN.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Mental & Social Health Services Report

16

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 39 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College also made our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,252 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

17
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s mental health services students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,850 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Century College.

Full Century College Mental & Social Health Services Report

18
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,920 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minot State University.

Full MSU Mental & Social Health Services Report

19
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #19, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metro State is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Metro State also made our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Metro State is $14,794 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Metro State Mental & Social Health Services Report

20
Mount Mercy crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Mount Mercy University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s mental health services degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mount Mercy has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Mercy is $19,250 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Mount Mercy

21
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s mental health services students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full KU Mental & Social Health Services Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s mental health services degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,912 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rochester Community and Technical College.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Rochester Community and Technical College

23
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Mental & Social Health Services Report

24

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 16 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $11,465 for Plains States Region Mental Health Services students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at ESU

25
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #25, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Mental Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bethel University Minnesota is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 43 ’s mental health services degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $21,313 for plains states region mental health services students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mental & Social Health Services at Bethel University Minnesota

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Notes and References

References

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