2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 120 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southeast 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
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. 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 Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $28,529 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $35,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,082. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Pamlico Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $30,005 ten years out.
Miami Dade College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College landed the #7 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $46,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College landed the #8 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for mental & social health services. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Midlands Technical College earned the #10 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #11 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $29,220 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $39,904. That is a strong return on a $29,220 median debt.
Albany Technical College earned the #12 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #13 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #14 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $30,386. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #15 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $17,594 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $26,277. Set against $17,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College earned the #18 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $18,123. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Edison State College placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University placed #20 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,612. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Palm Beach State College landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $15,505. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $32,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University placed #22 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $48,028 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #23 among the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $29,501. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental & social health services value ranking:
Narrow Mental & Social Health Services Schools by State
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. 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 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.
