2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental & social health services students.
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2027 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for mental & social health services in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $12,799. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Community College earned it the #2 place for mental & social health services. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $11,937. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental & social health services, landing the #4 spot this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,940 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $25,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Minnesota West Community And Technical College one of the best values for mental & social health services. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #6 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $50,065. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Century College landed the #7 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #8 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $44,387. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mineral Area College landed the #9 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $46,535. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Northwest Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,254 in tuition and fees. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Northwest Technical College generally make around $44,151. Set against $31,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $33,881. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Normandale Community College earned the #13 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earned the #15 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $21,773. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #16 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $31,171 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $46,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #17 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $36,302. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $49,629. Set against $36,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #18 for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $61,488. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Washburn University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,063 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,543. Set against $31,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #20 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $47,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northern State University placed #21 among the best values for mental & social health services. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $26,143. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #22 for value in mental & social health services this year. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $13,674. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $43,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinte Gleska University landed the #23 spot for mental & social health services value this year. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Winona State University earned the #24 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #25 position for value in mental & social health services this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Mental & Social Health Services graduates carry a median of $42,688 in student loans. Mental & Social Health Services graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $56,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Mental & Social Health Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental & social health services this year:
Narrow Mental & Social Health Services Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
