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Best Value Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Mental and Social Health Services programs show remarkable cost variation across states, with net prices spanning from $6,199 at Eastern New Mexico University to $19,181 at Metropolitan State University. Despite this wide range, graduates earn between $27,280 and $48,097 annually, with Minnesota's Metropolitan State University offering the highest returns. The field benefits from growing demand for behavioral health services nationwide, particularly as states expand Medicaid coverage for mental health treatment and substance abuse programs. California State University-Fresno stands out for combining one of the lowest costs at $6,480 with a 95.43% acceptance rate, though graduates there face the lowest earnings at $27,280. Meanwhile, Saint Cloud State University demonstrates how regional job markets impact outcomes, with graduates earning $46,087 annually in Minnesota's healthcare-rich economy. These programs prepare students for roles as counselors, social workers, and allied health professionals in settings ranging from community mental health centers to hospital systems.
50
Programs
$6,199 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$33,102
Avg. Program Earnings
49.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,199 $33,382 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
2 $7,168 $34,420 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
3 $7,912 $37,748 $7,868 34.9%
4 $6,480 $27,280 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
5 $10,133 $32,925 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
6 $14,485 $46,087 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
7 $13,780 $39,741 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
8 $12,909 $36,608 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
9 $12,188 $34,420 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
10 $13,091 $35,060 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
11 $11,353 $29,374 $8,618 23.3%
12 $13,550 $34,206 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
13 $19,181 $48,097 $9,780 38.4% 81.7%
14 $13,046 $32,569 $9,578 52.6%
15 $14,738 $36,668 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
16 $10,988 $27,295 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
17 $11,513 $28,236 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
18 $16,041 $37,208 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
19 $14,170 $31,236 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
20 $14,975 $31,839 $5,808 37.2%
21 $18,609 $39,153 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
22 $14,141 $29,413 $7,260 25.6%
23 $17,365 $35,274 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
24 $15,960 $32,162 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
25 $16,767 $33,352 $8,216 37.2%
26 $14,873 $28,960 $10,989 52.8% 94.2%
27 $13,809 $26,585 $8,864 44.6% 97.9%
28 $17,764 $33,664 $15,150 47.7% 91.5%
29 $16,775 $30,891 $10,118 53.3% 91.2%
30 $19,524 $35,274 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
31 $19,155 $31,854 $9,432 61.4% 99.5%
32 $18,680 $30,771 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%
33 $18,617 $30,499 $12,763 50.2% 83.5%
34 $17,485 $27,862 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
35 $23,156 $35,416 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
36 $21,607 $32,162 $23,700 35.7%
37 $20,413 $29,685 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
38 $23,069 $33,352 $31,168 66.3% 86.7%
39 $21,816 $31,382 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
40 $31,229 $43,798 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
41 $21,931 $29,685 $17,450 43.0% 77.9%
42 $20,303 $26,585 $20,318 62.2% 63.2%
43 $28,329 $36,717 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
44 $22,226 $26,585 $19,658 23.6% 79.3%
45 $25,321 $27,965 $13,160 8.8%
46 $38,428 $29,250 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
47 $23,435 $39,070 55.9% 75.3%
48 $13,879 $12,830 33.3%
49 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
50 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between the lowest and highest paying programs?

Regional job markets create significant salary differences for mental health professionals. Metropolitan State University graduates earn $48,097 annually in Minnesota's strong healthcare economy, while California State University-Fresno graduates start at $27,280 in a more competitive market. State funding levels for mental health services and cost of living adjustments also influence starting salaries. The $20,817 difference between highest and lowest earnings reflects these geographic and economic factors.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

Higher-cost programs don't guarantee better completion rates in mental health education. Worcester State University achieves a 55.50% graduation rate at $14,738 net cost, while Chicago State University manages only 16.90% despite charging $10,133. Eastern New Mexico University offers the lowest net price at $6,199 but graduates 39.80% of students. The data suggests program quality and student support services matter more than tuition levels.

Is student debt a major concern for mental health services graduates?

Student debt varies significantly across programs, ranging from $14,833 at California State University-Fresno to $30,974 at Washburn University. Most graduates carry debt between $18,000 and $27,000, which represents a manageable burden given starting salaries in the field. Saint Cloud State University graduates face $26,421 in debt but earn $46,087 annually, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. Lower-cost public programs generally produce less debt relative to earning potential.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity or accessibility?

High acceptance rates in mental health programs often reflect accessibility rather than lack of quality. California State University-Fresno accepts 95.43% of applicants, making mental health education widely available in California's Central Valley. Eastern Washington University maintains 96.12% acceptance while achieving a 47.20% graduation rate, suggesting open access with reasonable outcomes. Only Eastern New Mexico University shows highly selective admission at 27.55%, likely due to program capacity constraints.

Where do graduates find the best return on investment?

Metropolitan State University offers the strongest financial returns with $48,097 average earnings against $19,181 net costs, despite being the most expensive program. Saint Cloud State University provides excellent value at $46,087 earnings for $14,485 in costs. Northern Kentucky University presents a middle-ground option with $34,420 earnings for just $7,168 net cost. The key is balancing regional salary potential with educational expenses and career placement support.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.