by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 7 schools to find the best return on investment for human services students.
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 Riverland Community College, our #1 best value for human services in Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $15,732. Early-career human services graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $39,289. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $29,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan State University one of the best values for human services. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the human services program here. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $45,751. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Capella University one of the best values for human services. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $35,998. Soon after graduation, human services degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $62,133. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Rasmussen College Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Human Services graduates carry a median of $36,597 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $36,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,597 median debt.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value human services schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Human Services graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Human Services graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $58,285 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Walden University earned the #7 position for value in human services this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for human services graduates is $50,495. Human Services graduates of Walden University earn a median of $52,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.