2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Associate’s Degree Schools
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 115 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental & social health services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Leading the list is San Joaquin Delta College, our #1 best value for mental & social health services in the United States. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $6,382. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,385. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cypress College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #7 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #8 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $28,529 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $35,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,709 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $28,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Indian River State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,492. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $59,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #15 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,948. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #16 among the best values for mental & social health services. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,967. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $19,345. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $39,351. Set against $19,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #22 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $18,043 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, while out-of-state students pay about $12,928. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Palomar College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
Other Mental & Social Health Services Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Mental & Social Health Services rankings across degree levels:
View All Mental & Social Health Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 115 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
