Online Colleges

17 Best Online Human Services Degrees of 2026

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the best overall value at about $2,208 a year, Elizabethtown College is a private option at about $525 per credit, and the University of Arizona offers a public research university program at about $500 per credit. Decide whether lowest total tuition, a private college setting or a large public university matters most, then confirm accreditation and transfer credit before you apply.

Our top 3 picks

Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.

See all 17 ranked
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The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method

How the score works

We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.

  1. 01Collect the source rankings.
  2. 02Normalize every position.
  3. 03Weight the sources.
  4. 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.

Scoring factors

  • Student outcomes30%
  • Affordability25%
  • Flexibility20%
  • Student support15%
  • Reputation and accreditation10%
Read the full methodology

Sources used

Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 2 sources contributed to this ranking.

The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape

Score curve

How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.

#1#5#10

Top scores

The first five, scored out of 10.

01
Brigham Young University-Idaho
10.0
02
Elizabethtown College
10.0
03
University of Arizona
9.4
04
Purdue University Global
9.1
05
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
8.8

What you need to know before you choose.

Compare online human services degrees by tuition, accreditation and transfer credit so you can pick a program that fits your budget and schedule.

Confirm that the program is regionally accredited and that any human services fieldwork or internship can be completed near you. Ask how many transfer credits the school will accept and whether prior work experience counts. Compare total tuition after fees rather than the per-credit rate alone.

What the research says.

This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.

17options reviewed
6.7average score
10.0top score
2authority sources

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson MandelaFormer President of South Africa

Authority sources

Read the published rankings behind this list.

See the full method

Key insights

17options reviewed

Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.

5weighted ranking factors

The same published model across every category.

0paid placements

Compensation never changes a score or a rank.

Education options ranked

17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.

01

Brigham Young University-Idaho

RecommendedBest overall
★★★★★10.0Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited
02

Elizabethtown College

Runner-up
★★★★★10.0Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited
03

University of Arizona

Top three
★★★★★9.4Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
04

Purdue University Global

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★9.1Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
05

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★8.8Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
06

St. Joseph's University, New York

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★8.2Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited
07

Ohio University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★7.1Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
08

Western Washington University

Strong pick
★★★★★6.8Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
09

Arizona State University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★6.4Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
10

Southern New Hampshire University

Strong pick
★★★★★5.9Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private nonprofit institution
  • Institutionally accredited
11

LeTourneau University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★5.9Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited
12

Colorado State University Global

Strong pick
★★★★★5.8Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
13

Troy University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★5.3Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
14

SUNY Empire State University

Strong pick
★★★★★4.8Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Public institution
  • Institutionally accredited
15

Indiana Wesleyan University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★4.1Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited
16

Columbia Southern University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★3.6Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private for-profit institution
  • Institutionally accredited
17

Mercer University

Top-ranked pick
★★★★★3.5Human Services
  • Online Human Services bachelor's
  • Private institution
  • Institutionally accredited

Brigham Young University-Idaho is a private institution in Rexburg, Idaho, with published tuition of about $2,208 a year.

David KrugHead of Content, RaveReviews
Read the Brigham Young University-Idaho review
10.0RaveReviews Algorithm

Compare the top options

The details that matter most, in one view.

OfferBrigham Young University-IdahoElizabethtown CollegeUniversity of ArizonaPurdue University Global
RaveReviews Algorithm10.010.09.49.1
Best forHuman ServicesHuman ServicesHuman ServicesHuman Services
Price$2,208$525$500$371
HighlightOnline Human Services bachelor'sOnline Human Services bachelor'sOnline Human Services bachelor'sOnline Human Services bachelor's

Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.

The questions buyers actually ask

Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.

What is the best choice in online human services degrees?

If you want the short answer, start with Brigham Young University-Idaho. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for human services. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.

The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. Elizabethtown College is the stronger fit for human services. University of Arizona is worth a close look for human services. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.

Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.

How did we rank online human services degrees?

We used the same five-factor model across this category. Student outcomes at 30%, affordability at 25%, flexibility at 20%, student support at 15%, reputation and accreditation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.

The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.

We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.

What should you look for in online human services degrees?

Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Brigham Young University-Idaho, the relevant details include online human services bachelor's, private institution, institutionally accredited. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.

Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.

Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.

How much do online human services degrees cost?

Brigham Young University-Idaho starts at $2,208 /year. Elizabethtown College starts at $525 /credit. University of Arizona starts at $500 /credit. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.

Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.

Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.

What should you verify before you buy?

Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.

Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.

Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.

What should you do next?

Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.

Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.

If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.

Who wrote and reviewed this ranking

Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.

David Krug

David Krug

Head of Content

David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.

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Annie Membreve

Annie Membreve

Head of Quality Control

Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.

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Frequently asked questions

Are online human services degrees respected by employers?

Institutionally accredited online degrees are generally treated the same as campus degrees. Recognition depends on the institution, program accreditation and your field.

How much does an online human services degree cost?

Published tuition in this list ranges from about $233 to $780 per credit, with some schools publishing annual tuition instead. Compare total program cost and transfer credit.