2027 Best Value Human Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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 tops our 2027 list of the best value human services schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for human services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,071 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $36,338. Set against $8,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $9,000. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #4 place for human services. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned it the #5 place for human services. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,194 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,074. Human Services graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $22,496 early in their careers.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #6 spot for human services value this year. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the human services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Orange County Community College came in at #7 for value in human services this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in human services this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Human Services graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #10 for value in human services this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $10,942. Human Services graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Monroe Community College placed #11 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $17,984 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $26,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #12 spot for human services value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,925. Early-career human services graduates make about $32,887. That is a strong return on a $11,925 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College placed #14 among the best values for human services. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $13,949. Human Services graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College placed #15 among the best values for human services. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $12,019. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $27,366. Set against $12,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Genesee Community College came in at #16 for value in human services this year. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Human Services graduates carry a median of $15,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $40,106. Set against $15,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #17 spot for human services value this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,750. Human Services graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $25,855 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #18 spot for human services value this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Broome Community College placed #19 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $16,830. Early-career human services graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #20 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,240 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $30,923. That is a strong return on a $9,240 median debt.
Suny Empire State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Human Services graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Dutchess Community College placed #22 among the best values for human services. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,324 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $24,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #23 for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Jamestown Community College came in at #24 for value in human services this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees. Human Services graduates carry a median of $10,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $21,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $18,242. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,893. Set against $18,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Human Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human services:
Narrow Human Services Schools by State
More Human Services Rankings
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.