2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools
[General Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/human-services-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 497 schools to find the best return on investment for general human services students.
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Finding the Best Value General Human Services School for You
The right general human services school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Human Services Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Human Services Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value General Human Services Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general human services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Human Services Schools
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $6,334. Early-career general human services graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $12,678. Early-career general human services graduates make about $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for general human services. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #6 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $30,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $39,173. That is a strong return on a $30,726 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the best values for general human services. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $8,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Set against $8,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College earned the #10 position for value in general human services this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #11 for value in general human services this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #12 for value in general human services this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Trident Technical College earned the #13 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $18,116. Early-career general human services graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #14 for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $9,000. Early-career general human services graduates make about $42,839. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Folsom Lake College landed the #15 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #16 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $14,692. General Human Services graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College came in at #17 for value in general human services this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $9,125. Early-career general human services graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College placed #18 among the best values for general human services. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $11,246. Early-career general human services graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Solano Community College earned the #19 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general human services program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College landed the #21 spot for general human services value this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $18,203 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods landed the #22 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $20,000. General Human Services graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College came in at #23 for value in general human services this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $13,569. Early-career general human services graduates make about $27,581. That is a strong return on a $13,569 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for general human services. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College landed the #25 spot for general human services value this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Human Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general human services:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Human Services. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 497 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 110 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.
