2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Bachelor’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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in the United States. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $20,378 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $40,645 early in their careers. Set against $20,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $19,695. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #3 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,953. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,421. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $25,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global came in at #6 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $46,968 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Centralia College earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Centralia College generally make around $77,740.
Western Governors University earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,277. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University placed #9 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,000. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $37,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $29,804 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $41,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,804 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $39,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Washington University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $56,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $39,473. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #15 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $21,137 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,949 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,645 early in their careers. Set against $30,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,772. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
New Mexico Highlands University earned the #18 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,416 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $34,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,000. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $37,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $24,340. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,180 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $38,439 early in their careers. Set against $33,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #23 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $32,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $42,688 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $56,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,907. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $42,480. That is a strong return on a $24,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 40 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 ranking is produced 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.