[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 351 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,493. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $52,721. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $55,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,619 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $49,328. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Florida landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $49,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Trinity International University Illinois landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Deerfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,320. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $41,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,892 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,619. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,902. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for mental & social health services value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. 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. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $20,212. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,612. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #16 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida International University landed the #18 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #20 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in mental & social health services this year. 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, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. 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 $47,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. 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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. 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. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Rhode Island College came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. 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 $45,190. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #25 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 351 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 351 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).
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
