2026 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the New England Region
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 77 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 the New England Region
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
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in mental & social health services in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $12,033 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $27,799. Set against $12,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at North Shore Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,145. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $51,255. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Kennebec Valley Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $39,351. That is a strong return on a $19,345 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #5 place for mental & social health services. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,059. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $36,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York County Community College came in at #6 for value in mental & social health services this year. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rhode Island College came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $41,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Quincy College placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Students borrow a median of $15,600 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bay Path College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $29,811. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $69,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester State University came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $37,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University earned the #11 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $51,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #12 spot for mental & social health services value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $54,309 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $35,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $39,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Connecticut State University earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $36,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University placed #17 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $45,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Nhti Concords Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,874 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $50,550. Set against $16,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $54,415 early in their careers. Set against $24,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $41,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rivier College placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,488. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $28,917 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Rivier College earn a median of $52,060 early in their careers. Set against $28,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $27,151. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,880. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suffolk University came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,670. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $50,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Lesley University landed the #25 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $47,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
