by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Services](/majors/social-services-public-administration/human-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human services students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Washington County Community College the best value for a degree in human services in Maine. Set in the rural area of Calais, Washington County Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,407.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at York County Community College, which ranked #2. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $10,773. Early-career human services graduates make about $29,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Maine Community College earned it the #3 place for human services. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Human Services graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $40,029. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Maine Community College earned it the #4 place for human services. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Human Services graduates carry a median of $17,741 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Maine Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $13,869. Human Services graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.