2027 Best Value Human Services Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for human services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Human Services Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Services Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among human services schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Human Services graduates carry a median of $30,726 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $39,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for human services. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $13,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for human services. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $15,525. Human Services graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #5 place for human services. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northwest Indian College came in at #6 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of Bellingham, Northwest Indian College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,365 in tuition and fees. Human Services graduates of Northwest Indian College earn a median of $25,182 early in their careers.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in human services this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $28,156. Human Services graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $33,351 early in their careers. Set against $28,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Purdue University Global landed the #9 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $57,500. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $36,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College came in at #10 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Human Services graduates carry a median of $26,945 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $34,359. That is a strong return on a $26,945 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Gordon State College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,628, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. Human Services graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $33,648. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Gordon State College admits about 86% of applicants.
East Central University landed the #13 spot for human services value this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Human Services graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $32,083. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Murray State University came in at #14 for value in human services this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Human Services graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Granite State College landed the #15 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,724, while out-of-state students pay about $9,284. Students borrow a median of $26,770 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $54,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #16 position for value in human services this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Georgia earned the #17 position for value in human services this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Human Services graduates carry a median of $27,850 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $34,032. Set against $27,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #18 position for value in human services this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,480 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $37,501. Set against $14,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College came in at #19 for value in human services this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Baltimore ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Human Services graduates carry a median of $37,809 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #21 for value in human services this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #22 spot for human services value this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Human Services graduates carry a median of $22,783 in student loans. Human Services graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $32,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,783 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #23 among the best values for human services. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $24,619. Human Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for human services. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $36,940 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #25 among the best values for human services. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human services this year:
Other Human Services Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Human Services rankings across degree levels:
View All Human Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
