2026 Best Value Human Services Schools in New York
[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for human services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Human Services Schools in New York
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 2026 list of the best value human services schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for human services. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Human Services graduates carry a median of $8,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for human services. 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for human services. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,569 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $27,581. That is a strong return on a $13,569 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #6 among the best values for human services. Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Ulster County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $47,424. That is a strong return on a $13,354 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $11,925. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $32,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #9 spot for human services value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Erie Community College landed the #10 spot for human services value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Human Services graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Orange County Community College placed #11 among the best values for human services. 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, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $14,152. Early-career human services graduates make about $43,442. Set against $14,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College placed #12 among the best values for human services. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, 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.
Monroe Community College placed #13 among the best values for human services. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $17,984 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $26,571. That is a strong return on a $17,984 median debt.
Niagara County Community College placed #14 among the best values for human services. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Human Services graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cayuga County Community College came in at #15 for value in human services this year. Set in the town of Auburn, Cayuga County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,056, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,709.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in human services this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Human Services graduates carry a median of $14,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $24,622. That is a strong return on a $14,324 median debt.
Genesee Community College landed the #18 spot for human services value 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. Early-career human services graduates make about $40,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College earned the #19 position for value in human services this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $16,830. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $8,764. Early-career human services graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Monroe College Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for human services. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $28,052 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jamestown Community College came in at #22 for value in human services this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,118 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $21,430. Set against $10,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College landed the #23 spot for human services value this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the human services program here. Human Services graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Herkimer County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776. Students borrow a median of $14,990 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $31,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community College landed the #25 spot for human services value this year. Set in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,264 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,700. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $14,804. Human Services graduates of Jefferson Community College earn a median of $35,033 early in their careers. Set against $14,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Human Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human services:
More Human Services Rankings
View All Human Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
