2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 24 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 Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $27,128. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery County Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,824 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,824 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,513. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $30,550. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Pennsylvania Western University, which ranked #5. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $28,263. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $38,362. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $25,462. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $35,143. Set against $25,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Waynesburg University came in at #7 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. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lackawanna College placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $33,011. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $32,172 early in their careers. Set against $33,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carlow University landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $46,820. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University earned the #10 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. 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.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in mental & social health services this year. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Saint Vincent College landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Harcum College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,756 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $40,238. Set against $26,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown College earned the #14 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,599. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $28,507. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. That is a strong return on a $28,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Lebanon Valley College placed #16 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,080. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,767. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $49,801 early in their careers. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $58,269 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Alvernia University landed the #18 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $54,779. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $41,115 early in their careers. Set against $54,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. 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. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,921. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University earned the #21 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $65,421. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #22 position 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. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #23 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $45,365. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. 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 $43,065. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
