[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 human services students.
Finding the Best Value Human Services School for You
The human services program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Human Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Human Services Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Santa Ana College the best value for a degree in human services in the United States. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for human services. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $12,678. Human Services graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $8,071 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $36,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in 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. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Human Services graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $34,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #6 among the best values for human services. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Human Services graduates carry a median of $30,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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.
Cerritos College earned the #7 position for value in human services this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #8 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $18,203. 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.
Shasta College placed #9 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #10 position for value in human services this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Indian River State College landed the #11 spot for human services value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $36,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. 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 human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College landed the #13 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $8,575. Human Services graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Trident Technical College placed #14 among the best values for human services. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Human Services graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. 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 ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the human services program here. Early-career 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 ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $20,250. Human Services graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #17 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,246. Human Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #19 among the best values for human services. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Human Services graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, 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 human services this year. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #23 among the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the human services program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College came in at #24 for value in human services this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Early-career human services graduates make about $22,496.
Henderson Community College placed #25 among the best values for human services. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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 human services graduates is $13,528. Early-career human services graduates make about $40,259. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human services this year:
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 · 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).
[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
