by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mental & social health services degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat Pamlico Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. 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, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,407. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $46,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Sylva earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gaston College earned it the #5 place for mental & social health services. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,915. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College earned the #6 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,716. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $32,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $34,621. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $34,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #9 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cape Fear Community College placed #10 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Isothermal Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #12 for value in mental & social health services this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #13 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $29,078. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,294. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Carteret Community College came in at #14 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $8,222 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $5,566. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Carteret Community College generally make around $48,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College generally make around $37,459. That is a strong return on a $16,384 median debt.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the suburb of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary generally make around $54,863. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 75% of applicants.
Montgomery Community College came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,682. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers.
East Carolina University came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $47,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #19 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $50,121. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Guilford Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $36,124. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Appalachian State University landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $45,701. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gardner Webb University came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,147. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,300 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,667 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $37,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,667 median debt. Catawba College admits about 75% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,900. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $42,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Montreat College landed the #25 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,450 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,168 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.