2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in New York

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
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2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in New York
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the mental & social health services program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental & social health services program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. 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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,072. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $7,709 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $28,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,709 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $38,336 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Niagara County Community College placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,970. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,898 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $10,292 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #14 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $47,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Jamestown Community College came in at #15 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. That is a strong return on a $12,800 median debt.
Mercy College earned the #16 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $28,304. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $56,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #17 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,339. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny At Albany ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,521. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,103. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tompkins Cortland Community College placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Dryden. Students from in state pay about $6,970 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,855. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Tompkins Cortland Community College earn a median of $48,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Niagara University came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,208. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,217. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $50,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Canisius College landed the #24 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $52,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University At Buffalo placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,232. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.