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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong human services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value human services schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Iowa Central Community College, our #1 best value for human services in Iowa. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Human Services graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career human services graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at Buena Vista University, which ranked #2. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $29,317. Human Services graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in human services will find it at Upper Iowa University, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $45,388. Early-career human services graduates make about $39,389. That is a strong return on a $45,388 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand View University earned it the #4 place for human services. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the human services program here. Early-career human services graduates make about $40,750. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.