2027 Best Value General Human Services Schools

[General Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/human-services-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 212 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value General Human Services Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Human Services Schools
Santa Ana College earned the #1 spot for value among general human services schools in the United States. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for general human services. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $8,071. General Human Services graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $36,338 early in their careers. Set against $8,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. 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, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #6 among the best values for general human services. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $30,726 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $39,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,726 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #7 for value in general human services this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College earned the #8 position for value in general human services this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. Set against $18,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College placed #9 among the best values for general human services. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #10 spot for general human services value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Indian River State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $36,107. That is a strong return on a $13,583 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best values for general human services. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College landed the #13 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $8,575. Early-career general human services graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Trident Technical College earned the #14 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #15 position for value in general human services this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $42,839. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Ventura College earned the #16 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $20,250. General Human Services graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #17 position for value in general human services this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Wilkes Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $5,707. Early-career general human services graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #23 among the best values for general human services. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Early-career general human services graduates make about $22,496.
Henderson Community College placed #25 among the best values for general human services. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,528 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $40,259. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 212 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 212 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.