2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Associate’s Degree Schools
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1009 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mental & social health services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $59,278. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #2 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego City College earned it the #3 place for mental & social health services. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,514. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Pima Community College earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $5,250 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $36,004. That is a strong return on a $5,250 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,939. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,072. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,709 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $28,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,530. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. 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.
Northern Essex Community College placed #15 among the best values for mental & social health services. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $11,200 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $28,529 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,956. That is a strong return on a $28,529 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #19 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #20 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Camden County College placed #21 among the best values for mental & social health services. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,999. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peninsula College landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,243. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #24 spot for mental & social health services value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Indian River State College ranked #25 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,492. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental & social health services:
Other Mental & Social Health Services Degree Levels
Explore the best-value mental & social health services schools at other degree levels:
View All Mental & Social Health Services Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 1009 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 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.
