2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Master’s Degree Schools
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1009 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,091. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $55,275. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,721. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $48,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,389. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,160. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $49,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $47,612 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #13 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. The acceptance rate is 75%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,421 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,495. That is a strong return on a $24,421 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #15 for value in mental & social health services this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Utah Valley University came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $16,478. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida International University placed #17 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,259. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $38,917. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $47,652 early in their careers. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $45,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,181. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #25 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
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 239 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.
