2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
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2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,102. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,824 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. Set against $15,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,771. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $30,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
La Salle University earned the #10 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,143. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Carlow University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $46,820. That is a strong return on a $30,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College placed #13 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $28,507. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Gannon University placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $50,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Vincent College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Students from in state pay about $42,396 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Harcum College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,756. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $40,238 early in their careers. Set against $26,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lackawanna College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,400. Students borrow a median of $33,011 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $32,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,011 median debt.
Waynesburg University earned the #18 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $55,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Elizabethtown College landed the #19 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $57,397. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Alvernia University came in at #21 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. Students borrow a median of $54,779 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $41,115. That is a strong return on a $54,779 median debt. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Langhorne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $28,212. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earn a median of $40,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,857. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $58,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
View All Mental & Social Health Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
