2027 Best Value General Human Services Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/human-services-general/) 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 108 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human services students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Santa Ana College the best value for a degree in general human services in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career general human services graduates make about $36,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #3 place for general human services. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general human services will find it at Midlands Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $18,203. General Human Services graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,203 median debt.
Cerritos College earned the #6 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Modesto Junior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. 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. Early-career general human services graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #9 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $20,250. Early-career general human services graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #10 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. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in general human services this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general human services program here. Early-career general human services graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #12 for value in general human services this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. 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. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #13 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College came in at #14 for value in general human services this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. 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 ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general human services schools. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $15,500. Early-career general human services graduates make about $32,626. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #16 among the best values for general human services. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #17 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. 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.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #18 among the best values for general human services. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Stanly Community College placed #19 among the best values for general human services. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Early-career general human services graduates make about $41,920.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #20 position for value in general human services this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College placed #21 among the best values for general human services. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #22 among the best values for general human services. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #23 for value in general human services this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $35,140 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $37,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #24 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #25 among the best values for general human services. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $6,334. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Human Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general human services:
Other General Human Services Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Human Services rankings across degree levels:
View All General Human Services 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 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.
