by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental & social health services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental & social health services schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental & social health services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among mental & social health services schools in Kansas. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $31,063. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $45,543. That is a strong return on a $31,063 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental & social health services will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the mental & social health services program here. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $48,228. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kansas came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mental & social health services schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $24,907. Early-career mental & social health services graduates make about $42,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Friends University earned it the #4 place for mental & social health services. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Typical student debt for mental & social health services graduates is $29,721. Soon after graduation, mental & social health services degree recipients from Friends University generally make around $43,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.