2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in Texas
[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 39 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 Texas
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
For return on investment in mental & social health services, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $49,328. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $22,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Midland College, which ranked #3. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #5. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College came in at #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $9,189. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $29,349. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $19,185. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $31,821. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College placed #8 among the best values for mental & social health services. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $14,073 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,499. Set against $14,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College landed the #10 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #11 spot for mental & social health services value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lee College earned the #12 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,988. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #14 position 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. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $49,428. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Central Texas College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #16 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,785. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Weatherford College earned the #17 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Weatherford College generally make around $48,208. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #19 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $22,771. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Lone Star College System landed the #20 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University earned the #21 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $62,324. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,376. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #23 for value in mental & social health services this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State Technical College came in at #24 for value in mental & social health services this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $19,078. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $29,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #25 among the best values for mental & social health services. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,759. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,254. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
More Mental & Social Health Services Rankings
View All Mental & Social Health Services Rankings >
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
