[Community Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/community-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for community psychology students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Clayton State University, our #1 best value for community psychology in the United States. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the community psychology program here. Community Psychology graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $27,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,448 median debt. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value community psychology schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,948 to complete the community psychology program here. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $42,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in community psychology will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Community Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,936 to complete the community psychology program here. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. Set against $22,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $25,465. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $48,764. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gardner Webb University landed the #6 spot for community psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $29,166 to complete the community psychology program here. Community Psychology graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $34,491 early in their careers. Set against $29,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lesley University landed the #7 spot for community psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the community psychology program here. Soon after graduation, community psychology degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $38,404. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for value in community psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for community psychology graduates is $23,521. Early-career community psychology graduates make about $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Explore the best-value community psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Community Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
