2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
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2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 Elgin Community College the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for mental & social health services. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,613 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,613 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Trinity International University Illinois one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,892. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Trinity International University Illinois generally make around $41,182. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $29,883. That is a strong return on a $17,477 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $38,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Parkland College earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $16,067 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $29,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College came in at #13 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, compared with $7,200 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. Set against $20,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mott Community College landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,229 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,229 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,259. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $25,557. That is a strong return on a $11,259 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $23,799 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $37,325. Set against $23,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,548. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global placed #21 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $46,968 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,954. Set against $46,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Students borrow a median of $17,454 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $25,442. That is a strong return on a $17,454 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,882 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,865. Set against $16,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,930. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
