2026 Best Value General Human Services Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general human services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 497 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human services students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked University Of South Florida Main Campus the best value for a degree in general human services in the United States. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $28,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $55,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes East Central University one of the best values for general human services. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $28,000. General Human Services graduates of East Central University earn a median of $43,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for general human services. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $36,516 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $45,040. That is a strong return on a $36,516 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for general human services. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Wilmington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $49,445. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,150 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $44,716. That is a strong return on a $22,150 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #8 among the best values for general human services. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $58,285. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Touro University Worldwide landed the #9 spot for general human services value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,640. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Touro University Worldwide earn a median of $55,346 early in their careers. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Dakota placed #10 among the best values for general human services. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $74,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University earned the #11 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the general human services program here. General Human Services graduates of Capella University earn a median of $52,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Post University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human services schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $54,002. Early-career general human services graduates make about $57,109. That is a strong return on a $54,002 median debt.
Saint Leo University earned the #13 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $50,406 to complete the general human services program here. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $39,740. That is a strong return on a $50,406 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wayland Baptist University came in at #14 for value in general human services this year. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $27,258 in student loans. General Human Services graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $33,082 early in their careers. Set against $27,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University earned the #15 position for value in general human services this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,067. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $50,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $46,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer University earned the #16 position for value in general human services this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $54,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $44,355. Set against $54,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Ashford University landed the #17 spot for general human services value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. General Human Services graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career general human services graduates make about $48,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Webster University placed #18 among the best values for general human services. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $25,939. General Human Services graduates of Webster University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego placed #19 among the best values for general human services. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $23,795. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Albertus Magnus College came in at #20 for value in general human services this year. Albertus Magnus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,908. Typical student debt for general human services graduates is $36,919. Soon after graduation, general human services degree recipients from Albertus Magnus College generally make around $50,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albertus Magnus College admits about 59% of applicants.
Other General Human Services Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general human services schools at other degree levels:
View All General Human Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 10 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.
