by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mental & Social Health Services](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for mental & social health services students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental & social health services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rio Salado College tops our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools in Arizona. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,679. 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 came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Tohono Oodham Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $39,229 ten years out.
Mesa Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Estrella Mountain Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #6 among the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #7 for value in mental & social health services this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $35,323. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $58,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
Northern Arizona University came in at #8 for value in mental & social health services this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best values for mental & social health services. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $43,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #10 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $39,107. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Grand Canyon University earned the #11 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $39,560 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $47,062. Set against $39,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Prescott College earned the #12 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,490. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $42,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Ashford University came in at #13 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $48,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $39,676. Set against $48,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.