2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $49,328. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $22,011 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $22,011 median debt.
Midland College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $25,948 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $20,378 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,645. That is a strong return on a $20,378 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #7 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College came in at #8 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,189 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $19,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $31,821. That is a strong return on a $19,185 median debt.
Tohono Oodham Community College earned the #10 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.
Mclennan Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,073. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,941. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #13 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Alvin Community College placed #14 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,600. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Kilgore College landed the #15 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Rio Salado College earned the #16 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $14,087. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $52,271. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for mental & social health services. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,421. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #20 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $49,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #21 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $23,312. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $44,785 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Texas College came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,290. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,208. That is a strong return on a $14,099 median debt.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #25 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,771. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
