2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Washington

[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
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Featured Mental & Social Health Services Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Psychology - Mental Health
Gain a strong foundation in the concepts involved with mental health therapy and assessment with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Sociology - Community Health
Become a force for the public good by exploring current trends in health and health policy from a national and global perspective with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Washington
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
Leading the list is Clover Park Technical College, our #1 best value for mental & social health services in Washington. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Skagit Valley College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,730. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #6 for value in mental & social health services this year. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $20,414. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $45,849. Set against $20,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Centralia College earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Centralia College earn a median of $77,740 early in their careers.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #9 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,131. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Yakima Valley Community College placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,312, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,649. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $49,625. That is a strong return on a $14,649 median debt.
Highline Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,958. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.
Eastern Washington University landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,754. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $56,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $16,481. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,667. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $53,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Saint Martins University earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,818. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $60,864. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,629. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest University earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,035. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,439. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northwest University generally make around $53,910. Set against $22,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #18 among the best values for mental & social health services. Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $8,850. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Faith Evangelical College And Seminary generally make around $42,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whitworth University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $34,809. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earned the #20 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $14,652 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $22,366 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,541. Set against $22,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle University earned the #21 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. That is a strong return on a $22,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
City University Of Seattle placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $13,929. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $76,698. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gonzaga University placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,188. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $58,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.